Army, police joint naka fired at Chattargalla; encounter on
* No civilian death, no hostage like situation: ADGP Jammu
* Villagers show exemplary courage, don’t allow terrorists to escape
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 11: Two days after terrorists struck at Reasi killing nine including seven Shiv Khori pilgrims and injuring 43, two more terror attacks took place at Hiranagar in Kathua district and Chattargalla in Doda district with attackers targeting civilians and an Army and police camp respectively. A terrorist was killed and a civilian was injured in Hiranagar while exchange of firing was on at Chattargalla when reports last came in.
Additional DGP Jammu Zone Anand Jain told the reporters at Hiranagar tonight that two terrorists were spotted at village Saida Sukhal near Koota Morh in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district late this evening. One of the terrorists tried to lob a grenade and was killed in the exchange of firing while second terrorist was hiding in the area.
“There has been no civilian death or any kind of hostage like situation. Only one civilian has been injured and he too has been evacuated to the hospital,” Jain said.
Asserting that it was a fresh infiltration bid, the Jammu Police chief said the hostile neighbor, a reference towards Pakistan, was trying to disturb peaceful atmosphere in the region.
On Chattargalla encounter, Jain said a joint naka of 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police was fired upon by the terrorists tonight and the security personnel retaliated.
“The encounter is on,” he added. Click here to watch video
Reports said the terrorists opened firing at Army and police naka at Chattargalla but the security personnel retaliated. Encounter was on but no details were immediately available as the area is very remote.
One or two security personnel are reported to have sustained injuries but there was no official confirmation.
Meanwhile, two terrorists were spotted at village Saida Sukhal near Koota Morh in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district at 7.45 pm, just few kilometers from Jammu-Pathankot National Highway but one of them was neutralized by the police while his associate was hiding in darkness. A civilian has also been injured in firing by the terrorists.
Army, police, SOG and CRPF have laid massive cordon in entire Hiranagar belt to ensure that the remaining terrorist doesn’t manage to escape taking cover of darkness.
Eyewitnesses from Saida Sukhal and surrounding villages told the Excelsior on telephone that two terrorists appeared in Saida around 7.45 PM and entered a house seeking water and food. The father-son duo refused to entertain the terrorists and fled from the house towards more populated lane. The terrorists followed them.
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The terrorists then entered another house and asked for water and vehicle to drop them at some distance. They too refused.
In the meantime, police which had been tipped off about presence of the terrorists, reached Saida Sukhal and challenged the terrorists. One of the terrorists tried to lob grenade on civilians and police party but was killed in police retaliation. His associate managed to escape taking advantage of darkness. However, he could be reportedly hiding somewhere in the village.
Police said the cops are clearing houses one by one. So far only one family of husband and wife have been evacuated to the hospital. While the woman is unhurt, her husband Omkar Nath son of Dina Nath has sustained injuries in the arm and his condition is stated to be stable.
An AK rifle and a rucksack were recovered from the possession of slain terrorist.
Sources said people at Saida Sukhal showed exemplary courage and faced the terrorists boldly till police and security forces reached the spot. They didn’t allow the terrorists, both of whom are believed to be Pakistanis, to escape.
Army, police, SOG and CRPF have maintained strong cordon in the village to ensure that the terrorist doesn’t manage to escape.
Villagers demanded that killing of a civilian who was slaughtered by unknown persons at village Mela should also be investigated as it might have also been executed by the terrorists.
Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh said he was in continuous online contact with DC (Deputy Commissioner) Kathua Rakesh Minhas in the wake of the terrorist attack on a house in village Saida in Hiranagar sector close to the International Border.
“I am also in touch with SSP Kathua Anayat Ali Choudhary who is on the spot. The owner of the house that was attacked (name not to be disclosed) is also in touch on mobile phone. Joint police & para military operation is going on…,” the Minister wrote on ‘X’.
“I and my office are in constant touch and keeping a close watch on the developments,” he added.
The ADGP Jammu in a series of tweets tonight took strong note of a fake news circulated on social media which claimed that three civilians have been killed in the terror attack.
“It has come to our attention that a significant amount of fake news is circulating on local social media. These false reports claim that three dead bodies of civilians have been recovered from a certain site and that terrorists have taken some villagers hostage.
“We urge the public to remain calm and not to believe or spread such baseless rumors. If left unchecked, this misinformation could lead to major law and order issues in Jammu. To address this matter and prevent any potential unrest, the District Police and the Additional Director General (ADG) of Jammu will issue an official statement via X. We request everyone to stay informed through verified sources and to refrain from sharing unverified information,” the tweet said.
An official statement by the police said members of general public who are respected citizens are requested to wait for authentic information and don’t indulge in spreading different narratives that are unverified.
“This is a national security challenge posed by hostile elements from across and instead of engaging the police in law and order management, the citizens are requested to assist and cooperate with police in completing the operations logically and successfully so that the terrorists are killed,” the statement said.
There were reports that the terrorists had infiltrated from the International Border but lost the track in the absence of guide. They reached civilian areas in Hiranagar. People refused to oblige them and they were trapped.
Sources said security forces have maintained strong cordon and operation will resume with Sunrise tomorrow to neutralize the remaining terrorist.
A group of terrorists spotted in Basantgarh area of Udhampur district few days back had also infiltrated from the International Border in Kathua. The possibility that the terrorists had to take jungle route to reach Udhampur and Doda forests and then Kashmir is also not ruled out.
However, all this is part of investigations, the sources said.
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