All 4 militants killed in Arnia, toll 12

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 28: Army this afternoon gunned down the lone surviving militants at village Kathaar in Arnia sector to finish off the operation, which took 12 lives including five civilians, three Army soldiers and all four fidayeens, who had sneaked into this side and attacked innocent civilians and Army personnel yesterday morning.
While four deaths of civilians were confirmed yesterday, the fifth killing was confirmed this morning after recovery of the bodies from the border village.
Army, BSF and police sanitized village Kathaar and all surrounding areas of Arnia sector before allowing the people into their houses. The villages were vacated by the people yesterday after the fidayeen attack.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the lone surviving militant continued to play hide and seek with the troops by frequent changing position and resorting to firing in a bid to inflict casualties of Army. The troops, who had cordoned off the area where the militant was hiding, opened firing after identifying his location and killed him at 12.05 pm today bringing to an end over 26 hours long operation in which Army lost its three soldiers including a Para Commando while militants killed five civilians at the start of the operation at village Kathaar, about two kilometers from the International Border in Arnia sector.
After completing the operation, Army, BSF and police personnel sanitized all villages to ensure that there were no explosive devices planted by the militants to cause civilian casualties. The sanitization operation was completed this evening after which the people were allowed to return to their houses.
Bodies of all four slain militants, who were part of suicide squad of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit were recovered from the village. From the site of encounter, Army recovered four AK-47 rifles, one pistol, one IED, one disposal rocket launcher, two fired disposable rocket launcher cases, three radio sets, hand grenades and a large quantity of AK ammunition.
Army’s 157 TA, 5 JAK RIF, 5 Sikh Li and Para Commandos took part in operation against the fidayeens. Army soldiers of 157 TA led by Col Ajay Sharma had evacuated an injured civilian from the village yesterday risking their lives.
Pakistan made hand gloves, chocolates, dry fruit and some other items were also found in the possession of militants.
Identity of slain militants couldn’t be established as they were not carrying any documents with them. Their bodies were buried at Bishnah this evening after completion of legal formalities.
Three militants had been killed yesterday while the fourth one was eliminated today. Three Army soldiers including a Para Commando were also killed yesterday.
While one of the civilians had died in the GMC Jammu, police parties headed by SHO Arnia Inspector Jatinder Singh Samyal recovered four bodies from the village this afternoon after completion of the encounter.
All five civilians killed by the militants have been identified as Vikas Kumar alias Vicky, 25, son of Thorum Ram, Rakesh Kumar, 24, son of Tara Chand, both residents of Alla, Sham Lal, 22, son of Chuni Lal R/o Soankha, Kishore Kumar, 38, son of Sain Dass R/o Bari Barahamana and Vijay Kumar, 36, son of Mangat Ram R/o Refugee Camp, Batala, Punjab.
Authorities were examining the route taken by the militants to reach village Kathaar.

Follow our WhatsApp channel