Bodies of ultras, war like stores recovered
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: Security forces have expanded area of search operations in Ghati forests as massive hunt continued for third day today to track down three remaining terrorists, all of whom are believed to be Pakistanis.
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More security personnel joined the operation today, the officials said.
Army, Police, SOG, NSG and CRPF have launched combined operations in different parts of Ghati forests where two terrorists were eliminated and four police personnel attained martyrdom on Thursday.
Security forces have extended the ongoing search operation to new areas and are sanitizing the scene of the encounter. The Ghati heights in Rajbagh area of Kathua district leading to Billawar forests, a route the remaining terrorists could take, is being searched with deployment of additional security personnel to ensure that the terrorists are not able to reach the intended hideouts.
Gunfire and deafening sounds of explosions were also heard near the scene of the encounter this morning as well but it was later clarified that the firing was deliberate by the security forces as part of the counter terror strategy and the blasts were the result of disposing off littered explosive material, the officials said.
“Relentless operations since March 27 have led to the elimination of two terrorists and recovery of war-like stores. The operation continues,” Army’s Rising Star Corps wrote on X.
The officials said bodies of two Pakistani terrorists, believed to be affiliated with proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, were also recovered along with war-like stores.
The encounter in the area began on Thursday morning and continued throughout the day on Friday. A total of four policemen were martyred and two recently infiltrated terrorists were killed, while the search for other members of the terrorist group is continuing for the third day on Saturday.
While identity of slain terrorists hasn’t been established, both of them are believed to be the activists of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit hailing from Pakistan. They appeared to battle-hardened terrorists and were equipped with weapons like M4 rifles and sophisticated explosive devices.
A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered from the site of gun battle. Three remaining terrorists are also stated to be the Pakistanis and they too were equipped with heavy weaponry, the sources said.
The villagers, who initially spotted the terrorists at village Sanyal in Hiranagar sector on March 23 and then at village Safiyan Jakhole in Rajbagh area of Kathua on March 27, had stated that number of the terrorists was five.
So far, as per the sources, there has been no input about local support to the terrorists. They were in possession of cooked food, energy drinks, dry fruits and medicines which they reportedly consumed to survive.
Senior police and security officers continued to camp at the spot to supervise operations against the terrorists.
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