๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข, ๐๐จ๐จ๐ง๐๐ก: ๐๐๐๐
STATE TIMES NEWS
Rajouri: A massive search operation by security forces to track down terrorists continued for the second day in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Sunday, officials said, as there was no report of fresh firing between the two sides.
Infiltration bid foiled along LoC, 1 terrorist killed
Srinagar: The Army on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Kupwara district, killing one terrorist, police said.
According to a police spokesperson, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the police and Army in the Dakhen-Amrohi area of Tangdhar Sector in Kupwara based on information about possible infiltration attempts.
“During the search operation, movement of terrorists, trying to infiltrate to our side, was observed. They were challenged by the joint party in which one terrorist was neutralized,” he said.
Taking advantage of the thick bushes and rugged terrain, two to three other terrorists escaped back to the Pakistan side of the Line of Control, the spokesperson said.
“Army and Kupwara police in a joint operation foiled an infiltration bid by neutralising a terrorist on LoC in Amrohi area of Tangdhar Sector. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition were recovered. Search operation in progress. Further details shall follow,” the police tweeted.
The police spokesperson said that from the incriminating materials recovered from the site of the encounter, it is believed that the killed terrorist was a Pakistani national.
The arms and ammunition seized include an AK rifle, an AK magazine, 15 AK rounds, five 9mm pistols, one 15mm pistol, eight pistol magazines and 32 bullets of 9mm pistol. “The recovery of these materials underscores the nefarious intentions of the infiltrators and their attempts to disrupt peace and stability in the region,” the spokesperson said.
A suspected Pakistani terrorist in combat dress was killed in the initial firing during a cordon and search operation at Gundah-Khawas village of Budhal on Saturday evening, leading to the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition including an AK assault and two pistols, the officials said.
They said the exchange of firing stopped during the day but the search operation was further intensified and extended to nearby forest and adjoining areas to neutralise the terrorists.
Earlier, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh and General Officer Commanding of Army’s Romeo Force Major General Mohit Trivedi addressed a joint press conference in Rajouri and said they are determined to wipe out terrorism from the region.
“Some terrorists were noticed in the Gundah-Khawas around 1.30 pm on Saturday and, accordingly, a police party rushed to the village, besides informing the Army. When a cordon-and-search operation was launched, the terrorists opened fire, which was retaliated by the joint troops of the police, Army and the CRPF, resulting in the killing of a terrorist,” Singh said.
He added the slain terrorist is believed to be from Pakistan and that it was evident from the material, including medicines and shoes, recovered from him.
“One more terrorist is present in the village and an encounter is on,” he said, adding the seizure from the encounter scene, including raincoats and food items, indicated that they were trained to survive in jungle conditions.
Singh said strict action is being taken against overground workers of the terror groups. “Several of them have already been booked under the Public Safety Act while we are also keeping a constant vigil on suspected persons.”
“Action will be taken against any overground worker whose linkage will be established during the investigation of the latest encounter,” he said.
The ADGP added that about three groups of terrorists, each comprising two to three ultras, are operating in Rajouri and Poonch districts, asserting that security forces are determined to wipe out terrorism from the region.
Mukesh Singh also said security agencies are making twice the effort to thwart the attempts to push terrorists from across the border.
“Two or three groups of terrorists are believed to be present in the (Pir Panjal) region. Each group comprises two to three terrorists but divulging their exact number is difficult,” Singh, flanked by the Army’s Romeo Force Major General Mohit Trivedi, told reporters in Rajouri.
Singh reached Rajouri where an encounter between terrorists and security forces is going on since Saturday. A suspected Pakistani terrorist in combat uniform was killed and a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK assault rifle and two pistols, were recovered from him.
“Some terrorists were noticed in the Gundah-Khawas village of Budhal and, accordingly, a police party rushed to the village, besides informing the Army. When a cordon-and-search operation was launched, the terrorists opened fire, which was retaliated by the joint troops of the police, Army and the CRPF, resulting in the killing of a terrorist,” Singh said.
He referred to the killing of six terrorists in recent encounters, including four in the Surankote area of Poonch on July 18, and said attempts to disturb the peaceful atmosphere by pushing terrorists into the Indian side is going on unabated from across the border.
“We are making double efforts to thwart their attempts and wipe out terrorism from the region,” Singh said.
Asked about the plan of the terrorists, he said it is a matter of investigation. “A thorough investigation and analysis will be carried out after the encounter.”
On the possible involvement of the slain terrorist in the Dhangri attack where seven civilians were killed in January, the officer said, “It is also part of the investigation. We will call the eyewitnesses for identification of the slain terrorist.”
Major General Trivedi credited the success against the terrorists to the synergy among the Army, police and other sister agencies and the cooperation of the people.
“The operations against terrorists will continue to ensure they do not get a foothold. The terrorists were feeling that they will operate with ease but we have cornered them,” he said, adding anyone having any ill will against the region or the country will be dealt with sternly.
In the morning, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said two to three terrorists are believed to be holed up in the besieged village and their repeated attempts to break the cordon have been thwarted by controlled fire throughout the night.
“After the initial contact, Army troops moved to the area and pinned down terrorists assessed to be up to two-three. Additional troops of the Rashtriya Rifles mobilised as the terrain is undulating and forested,” he said.
He said special forces were brought in by an Indian Air Force helicopter on Saturday, while night-enabled quadcopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and sniffer dogs were also pressed into service.
