STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Massive search operations continued on Thursday in forest belts of different districts of Jammu and Kashmir to track down and neutralise terrorists involved in recent attacks in the union territory, officials said.
Police joined the paramilitary forces in searches in the Narwal bypass area on the outskirts of Jammu after a woman reported suspicious movement of two persons, they said.
“Jammu police responded swiftly and professionally to the suspicious movement in Narwal area”, a police spokesperson said, adding that contrary to the statement of the lady, as run by some media portal and channels, there was no, suspicious object or suspicious persons to corroborate her observation. “There have been complete combing of the area supported by the CCTV footage analysis, the spokesperson said, adding that the. Jammu police is committed to the safety and security of citizens.
Terrorists struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts over the past four days, killing nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan and leaving seven security personnel and several others injured.
Two suspected Pakistani terrorists were also killed in an encounter with security forces in Kathua and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from them.
The officials said Army, police and paramilitary forces resumed search operations in the morning in Kota top in Gandoh, Chattagalla and adjoining areas in Doda district where seven security personnel, including two policemen, were injured in separate gunfights with terrorists on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There has been no fresh contact with the fleeing terrorists so far, they said.
Police had on Wednesday released sketches of four terrorists involved in two attacks in the district and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their arrest.
Earlier, police had announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh and released the sketch of one of the terrorists involved in Sunday’s attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district that left nine people dead and 41 injured.
Searches are underway in Reasi as well as adjoining Rajouri district. A person who resembled the terrorist’s sketch was detained from a bus in Reasi in the afternoon and whisked away for questioning, the officials said.
Searches are also being conducted in Nowshera in Rajouri and adjoining Poonch. Security forces in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts have also been put on alert in view of intelligence inputs about a possible terror threat, they said.
Two terrorists were gunned down by the security forces in a fierce gunfight in Kathua that began on Tuesday night and lasted more than 15 hours. A CRPF jawan was also killed in the operation while a civilian was injured.
Police had on Wednesday issued an advisory, urging residents of the Jammu region to stay vigilant regarding the movement of suspicious individuals and objects.
The advisory was issued following intelligence inputs suggesting the possibility of a terror threat in parts of Rajouri and Jammu districts.
50 detained, search expanded to far-flung areas of Reasi
JAMMU: Fifty people have been detained in connection with the investigation into the recent terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district, police said on Thursday.
To ensure a comprehensive probe, the search operation to track down the terrorists, has been expanded to cover Reasi district’s far-flung Arnas and Mahore areas which were terrorist hotbeds between 1995 and 2005.
Confirming the detention of 50 suspects in connection with the attack, a police spokesperson said it followed an intensive investigation.
“Significant leads have been uncovered, aiding in the identification and capture of those who may be potentially involved in orchestrating the attack. To ensure a comprehensive probe, search operations have been expanded to cover the far-flung areas of Arnas and Mahore,” the spokesperson said. He said these operations aim to uncover further evidence and apprehend terrorists who may be hiding in these remote regions.
Police have already released a sketch of one of the terrorists and announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the neutralization of the culprits.
“The law enforcement agencies are committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in the area,” the spokesperson said.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi, Mohita Sharma urged people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.