JAMMU/KUD: Exposing tall claims of fool-proof security arrangements made along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure safe transit of tourists, Shri Amarnath bound pilgrims and others, a heavily armed militant travelling in a State Road Transport Corporation bus on Monday targeted para military forces near Kud in Patnitop area of Udhampur district, killing one lady passenger before he was neutralised by the joint team of CRPF and the state police.
The incident sent shock waves among the passengers travelling on the highway as the traffic came to a standstill leading to long traffic jam.
Large number of vehicles enroute Katra and Udhampur were halted at Nagrota following massive traffic jam along the busy route.
This is the second militant strike by the militants of Pak based militant outfit along the strategic highway in the last one year.
The militant strike has also alerted the security agencies to take note of possible loop holes in the security grid which allowed a heavily armed militant to board the SRTC bus and remained unnoticed till he opened fire on the paramilitary forces near Kud. Following the fresh strike, which comes close on the heels of series of militant strikes on security forces across Kashmir valley security has been beefed up in the garrison town of Udhampur and across vital installations of Northern Command Headquarters to prevent repeat of similar strikes by the militant outfits.
According to official sources, SRTC bus, bearing registration number JK02Y 0444, was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu when it was signalled by the security forces for a routine checking near Kral Nalla along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Kud area. As the jawans of the para military forces started frisking passengers, a militant travelling in the bus opened fire on them. In the heavy exchange of fire security forces neutralised one militant.
One lady passenger, caught in the cross fire also succumbed to her injuries while two others were shifted to the nearby hospital.
Inspector General of Police Jammu range Danesh Rana said, “The joint team of security forces had eliminated one militant inside the bus while thorough search operations were carried out in the nearby areas to rule out the possibility of presence of another militant.
According to official sources police team also seized an election card in the name of Tanvir Sultan,hailing from Bemina in Srinagar, from the pocket of the militant. One AK 47 rifle, a pistol and 70 rounds were also recovered from the possession of the slain militant.
The deceased woman has been identified as Mamata Thappa , wife of Late Rajendra Thappa, resident of Ranibagh Chatha, Jammu while injured are Rubi, wife of Ravi Kumar, resident of Krishna Nagar and Balvir Singh son of Sadhua Ram, resident of Gurdaspur.
Sources told STATE TIMES that the slain terrorist was going to Amritsar for medical check up. Since he was carrying weapons, the police is looking to various angles whether the trip was part of any possible terror strike in Jammu or Amritsar. IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, DIG Surinder Gupta, SSP Suleman Choudhary visited the spot. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemned the militant attack on security forces and civilians.
In a statement issued here on Monday, JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma conveyed condolences to the family members of the bereaved and sympathised with those injured in the incident. He asked for adequate ex-gratia relief to the families of the deceased and to the injured persons. The Congress leaders asked the security forces to maintain a close vigil on the activities of militants in the border belt, as many attacks have been witnessed in this region in the recent past. Strongly condemning the terrorist attack,