STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Security forces and terrorists exchanged fire twice briefly within a span of four hours in a forest area in Doda district, officials said on Wednesday.
Village Defence Guards (VDGs) also opened fire on observing suspicious movement outside their village, while two explosive shells were recovered from Gandoh area, they said.
The exchange of fire was first reported at Kalaan Bhata at 10.45 pm on Tuesday and then near Panchan Bhata at 2 am during the ongoing anti-terrorist operation in the Desa forest area, where four Army personnel were killed in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
Police cracks down on OGWs network; 4 arrested
JAMMU: Police have launched a major crackdown on the network of overground workers (OGWs) in connection with a series of terror attacks in Doda district, resulting in the arrest of four OGWs, police said.
Four Army personnel, including an officer, were martyred in an encounter with terrorists in the Doda district on Monday.
“Police have intensified their crackdown on the OGWs’ network in response to the recent attacks in June and July,” a police spokesman said.
On June 12, an FIR was filed under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, and the UAPA at the Gandoh police station. This led to the arrest of OGWs Mubashir Hussain, Safder Ali, and Sajad Ahmed on June 18 and 20, he said.
They are currently in judicial custody at the Bhaderwah District Jail. Another FIR was registered at the Gandoh police station on June 26, and Showket Ali was apprehended on July 14, he said. He remains in police custody, with further arrests expected as the investigation progresses, the spokesman added.
There are no reports of any casualties in the latest exchange of fire. Taking advantage of the darkness, difficult terrain and thick foliage, the terrorists managed to slip away, the officials said.
Troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched a joint cordon and search operation at Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest belt, some 55 km from Doda town, late on Monday evening following information about the presence of terrorists.
Despite the challenging terrain and weather conditions, efforts are underway to track down and neutralise the terrorists who have links with the banned Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the officials said.
The Army, along with para commandos and aerial support from drones and helicopters, is intensifying its search operation to eliminate the terrorists who have infiltrated from across the border and taken refuge in the forest area.
The officials said Village Defence Guards opened fire on observing suspicious movement near their Melan village in Desa area during the intervening night.
Police along with Army have reached the village and a thorough search of the area was launched this morning, they said.
The officials said two explosive shells were recovered during a separate search operation in Sinoo forest area of Gandoh in Doda district.
Sinoo forest witnessed a day-long encounter on June 26, resulting in the killing of three foreign terrorists and recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including a US-made M4 carbine.