Brief encounter in Kishtwar, hunt on to track down ultras
Arjun Sharma
Jammu, August 11
An encounter took place between terrorists and security forces in the forest area of Kishtwar early on Sunday, following which search operations have been launched in the area as the ultras fled the spot.
Another gunfight in Udhampur
- A brief gunfight took place between terrorists and security forces in the Khaned forest area of Basantgarh in Udhampur district on Sunday evening.
- The group of three to four terrorists is allegedly moving in the area for past one week, and contact was established with them even a few days ago.
- The Army and the police have cordoned off the area, due to which the ultras are finding it difficult to escape.
- A senior police official said search operations were underway, and there was no report of any injuries during the encounter.
The gunfight began after the police, Army and the CRPF laid a cordon upon receiving information about the presence of at least two to three ultras in the forest area in the district.
The terrorists opened fire on the security forces as the latter started a search operation in Peyaas, Naagseni. A spokesperson of the police said, “A brief exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces in an area under the Kishtwar police station, and a search operation is going on.”
The security forces had already made elaborate security arrangements in view of the ongoing Machail Mata pilgrimage in the district. An official said the encounter had no impact on the Machail yatra as the route was secured and no anti-national element could reach near the pilgrims. It has been learnt that the pilgrimage was halted for some time soon after the encounter, but was resumed later.
Terrorist activities were witnessed in the adjoining Doda district, but Kishtwar was comparatively peaceful for the past sometime.
Meanwhile, a day after the Kathua police released the sketches of four terrorists believed to be behind the July 8 ambush on two Army vehicles in Machedi area, in which five soldiers were killed, the police have further shared information about the weapons they are carrying.
According to the police, three terrorists are carrying AK-47, one is carrying US made M-4 carbine, which has been rampantly used against the security forces in recent times in J&K.
The interrogation of over ground workers, who helped the terrorists, and residents who have seen them moving in the area revealed that these terrorists were aged between 25 and 32 years. They spoke Urdu and another language (not understood by the locals). Besides the height of the four terrorists is between 5.8 feet to 6 feet. A reward of Rs 5 lakh has been announced on each accused.
