Terror revisits Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

Three heavily-armed Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists killed in an operation.

February 1, 2020

A truck driver transporting terrorists arrested, being interrogated for more leads.

Terror revisited Jammu-Srinagar National Highway ahead of the first anniversary of ghastly Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF jawans had sacrificed their lives last year on February 14.

However, this time, the terrorists failed to execute their terror plot despite breaching the International border and making it to the Bann toll plaza without facing any resistance. An alert jawan of Jammu and Kashmir police, who had first intercepted a Kashmir bound truck must be credited for preventing a major terror attack. Alarm raised by him while checking the loaded truck, in which terrorists were hiding, triggered the encounter in which three heavily armed terrorists belonging to Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit was neutralised by the joint teams of security forces near Ban Toll plaza on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway early Friday morning.

According to initial reports, these terrorists may have infiltrated inside the Indian territory from across the international border in Kathua district.

Truck driver, identified as Sameer Ahmad Dar, cousin of Adil Dar, the suicide bomber who had triggered a blast during Pulwama attack using his fabricated car, is being interrogated along with a local guide and conductor of the truck to ascertain the terror plot.

Director-General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh who visited the encounter site told reporters, so far three Jaish-e- Mohammad terrorists have been killed in the ongoing operation near Bann Toll Plaza on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Friday”.

He told reporters near the encounter site, these terrorists may have infiltrated inside the Indian territory from across the International border between Dyalachak-Hiranagar sector.

Singh said, six weapons including a sniper rifle has been recovered along with a large cache of arms and ammunition.

The security forces also recovered a satellite phone, brand new mobile phones, wire cutters, ration and medicine supplies, RDX, etc.

Truck driver, identified as Sameer Ahmad Dar, cousin of Adil Dar, the suicide bomber who had triggered a blast during Pulwama attack using his fabricated car, is being interrogated along with a local guide and conductor of the truck to ascertain the terror plot.

According to police, “a Srinagar bound truck was intercepted at a security checkpoint near Bann Toll Plaza between 5.30 and 5.45 a.m. As jawans of the paramilitary force, stationed at the security checkpoint, started random checking of the truck bearing registration number JK03F-1478, terrorists hiding inside the truck opened fire triggering an encounter”.

According to a police spokesman, “one terrorist was killed in the initial exchange of fire while one of the jawans also received injuries”.

Inspector-General of Police, Jammu Range, Mukesh Singh told reporters, “in the ongoing operation three terrorists have been neutralised by the security forces”. He said the fidayeens were tasked to target vital security installations. During the operation, the security of several army and police installations were beefed up and quick reactions teams were deployed to foil any terror attack.

During the day, traffic on the National Highway remained suspended. Thousands of Kashmir bound passengers were stranded on the highway and faced hardships till the time the traffic was resumed.

Mata Vaishno Devi bound pilgrims too could not reach Katra as the traffic remained suspended. Educational institutions also remained closed in the neighbouring Udhampur district.

Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.