New Delhi:
At least three terrorists of pro-Pakistan Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed and 12 security personnel, including three officers, injured in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Thursday, officials said.
Police said the militants had crossed the International Border in Tarnah nallah and reached Kashmir from the Dayalachak area of Kathua district in a truck.
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Security forces during a cordon and search operation zeroed in on a location near a house in the district's Kakriyal area and trapped the militants, the officials said, adding drones and choppers were used in the operation launched on Wednesday to track the militants.
Police said 12 security personnel were injured in the operation and added that six CRPF personnel, including the deputy commandant and the assistant commandant, five cops, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Lal, and an Armyman were injured, who were admitted to the Narayana hospital in Katra.
Police said that Thursday’s encounter continued till 5 pm, in which all the three militants were neutralised.
“The exchange of fire continued till 5 pm this evening. In this encounter, all the three terrorists were neutralised. SDPO Nagrota, two officers of CRPF and some police and security force men were injured. It seems to be a case of fresh infiltration of yesterday morning from Pakistan most likely from Hiranagar belt of International Border. These terrorists had come from Pakistan,” a police spokesperson said.
“On 12.09.2018 at about 0805 hours, during checking by flying squad of police at Domail on highway, police party signalled a truck bearing No. JK03-1476, which was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar to stop. In the meantime, three terrorists who were on board the said truck opened fire (sic),” a police statement issued on Thursday said.
The cordon and search operation was launched in the Jhajjar-Kotli forest belt in Jammu and Reasi districts after militants travelling in a truck opened fire at a forest guard and fled the spot on Wednesday.
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Police said one person was injured in the firing, adding they had seized the truck, and arrested its driver and helper.
Inspector General of Police (Jammu) S D Singh Jamwal said that two people transported the militants from Dayalachak in a truck, adding the duo had been engaged in carrying out such acts in the past, and the police were investigating their contacts in Jammu.
(With inputs from PTI)
