Security forces eliminate three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in Doda

| Updated: 27 June, 2024 12:25 pm IST

JAMMU: In a significant victory, security forces comprising the police and Army neutralized three notorious foreign terrorists linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group in the Sinoo forest area of Gandoh in Doda district. A substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives, including two American M4 carbines, was recovered from their possession.

This operation followed two earlier encounters at Chattergalla and Kota Top in Doda district on June 11 and 12, during which seven security personnel were injured, although the terrorists initially escaped. During today’s encounter, authorities suspended mobile internet services in the Doda district.

“It remains unclear if the neutralized terrorists were the same individuals involved in the Chattergalla and Kota Top incidents or if they belonged to a different group,” police officials stated.

The operation was initiated based on precise intelligence regarding the terrorists’ movements in the Sinoo forest area of Gandoh. The Army, police, and Special Operations Group (SOG) encircled the forest and monitored the terrorists’ movements in a remote hut.

This led to a fierce encounter, with terrorists using M4 carbines, an AK rifle, and grenades against the security personnel, who responded in kind. The gunfight continued until the evening, resulting in the deaths of all three terrorists.

A police constable, Fareed Ahmed, sustained a leg injury from a bullet and was hospitalized. His condition is reported to be stable. Police disclosed that in addition to two M4 carbines equipped with night vision devices and an AK rifle, six grenades, a large quantity of ammunition, explosives, and some food items were recovered from the hut. Local assistance to the terrorists, particularly in providing food, has not been ruled out and will be part of the investigation.

The bodies of the three slain terrorists, who were wearing woollen clothing to protect themselves from the cold, were recovered from the hut. They are believed to be Pakistani nationals and members of the Jaish-e-Mohammed cadre.

Speaking to The New Indian in Gandoh after the successful operation, ADGP Anand Jain stated that the elimination of the three terrorists, who had recently infiltrated from across the border, brought significant relief to the local population, who had been terrorized by their presence in an area previously cleared of terrorism.

“Six terrorist groups are believed to have infiltrated from Pakistan, and overall, at least seven terrorist groups are active in the Jammu region,” the ADGP said, adding that a large-scale search operation is underway to neutralize all active terrorists.

Commander of Nine Sector Rashtriya Rifles, Brigadier Sunil Mishra, who led the operation, remarked that it was a well-coordinated effort by the security forces to eliminate the terrorists without suffering any casualties. “The public is cooperating with the forces and providing credible information about terrorists. We will not allow terrorists from across the border to disrupt the peace here,” the Army officer stated.

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Six security personnel were injured when terrorists attacked a joint checkpoint at Chattergalla on June 11, and a policeman was wounded in a gunfight with terrorists at Kota Top in Gandoh the following day. Following these attacks, security forces intensified their anti-terror operations and announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information about four Pakistani terrorists believed to have infiltrated the district.

During an operation in Sinoo Panchayat village, security forces encountered heavy fire from terrorists hiding in a hut on a slope. One terrorist was killed in the retaliatory fire after he emerged and began firing on the search parties. As the day progressed, two more terrorists were eliminated by the security forces. An Army helicopter provided surveillance during the encounter.

The encounter concluded around 4 pm, but a thorough search continued to ensure no other terrorists were in the area. According to inputs, there were only three terrorists in the hut, all of whom were neutralized.

ALSO READ: Two terrorists killed in Doda encounter with security forces – THE NEW INDIAN

This was the second such encounter in the Jammu region this month. On June 11-12, two Pakistani terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a 15-hour-long operation in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. Jammu has seen an increase in terror activities, which authorities attribute to attempts by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the region and disrupt the peace.

On June 9, terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district, killing nine people, including the driver and conductor, and injuring 41 others. Meanwhile, a Chinese hand grenade was discovered in Pind village in the Chingus area of Rajouri district by a patrolling party of security forces late Tuesday evening.

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