Telescope seized, youth detained
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: Three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit, who were trapped in an encounter with security forces at village Soan in Majalta area of Udhampur district few days back, have reportedly come down from the mountains to collect ration items amid reports that a group of terrorists has come close to Pakistan side of the International Border (IB) between Kathua and Punjab for infiltration into this side.
In two other incidents, police today recovered a telescope used on the weapons near NIA and Security Headquarters at Sidhra on outskirts of the City while Samba police have detained a Bakerwal youth of Anantnag district whose mobile telephone had some Pakistani numbers.
The telescope was spotted by a CRPF jawan in the possession of six-year-old Adnan when he was playing with it. The CRPF jawan raised an alarm and soon police and SOG swung into action and seized the telescope.
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Adnan’s father, Iftikhar Ahmed, a resident of Manjakote, Rajouri, presently putting up at Sidhra and running a rehri was called for questioning. He disclosed that his co-brother-in-law had brought the telescope from Saudi Arabia.
Police was, however, questioning Iftikhar to further verify the facts.
Initial investigations revealed that the telescope was pre 2004 manufacture and can be mounted on air gun and not the assault rifle. However, details will emerge after investigations are completed.
In another incident, a Bakerwal Tanvir Ahmed, 24, resident of Anantnag district, presently putting up at Diani in Samba district, has been detained by the police after mobile numbers of Pakistan were found in his mobile phone.
His questioning is on, the sources said.
Meanwhile, after Monday’s encounter at Soan, the terrorists appeared at village Chore Motu, about five kilometers from the site of gun-battle, in Majalta area of Udhampur district late last evening and approached the house of Mangtu Ram for food. Sensing trouble as the terrorists were carrying guns, Mangtu gave some food to them. However, he informed police immediately after the terrorists left the house.
The terrorists are reported to have tried to collect food from some other houses as well but failed.
Last Monday also, presence of the terrorists was spotted after they knocked doors of a house for food.
Significantly, village Chore Motu is just five kilometers away from Soan, where the terrorists struck last Monday and were engaged in a gun battle by the Special Operations Group (SOG) initially followed by Army, police and paramilitary forces. An SOG jawan Amjad Ali Khan of Mendhar, Poonch was martyred in the attack while two others were injured. The terrorists had managed to escape.
“The same group of terrorists is reportedly moving in upper reaches of Majalta. They are believed to have come down from the mountains following extreme chill and are trying to collect food and ration from the villages,” the sources said.
However, security forces have fanned out in different directions to hunt down the terrorists. Multiple operations have been launched in different areas of Majalta and surroundings in search of the terrorists but since Monday, no fresh contact has been established with the terrorists, they added.
“An intelligence input was received late Saturday that unidentified terrorists visited the house of Mangtu Ram at Chore Motu village at around 6.30 pm and took food.
Police and paramilitary forces were immediately mobilised, but the terrorists could not be found,” the sources said.
The forest belt near the village was cordoned off, and a combing operation was launched simultaneously from different sides with the first light of the day on Sunday to track down and neutralize the terrorists
There have been reports that a group of three to four terrorists was trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory from International Border between Kathua and Punjab. The terrorists have reportedly come very close to Pakistan side of the border for intrusion. However, the BSF has been maintaining very high alert all along the border with Pakistan in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts to thwart infiltration attempt.
The winter management strategy has also been put in place along the IB to ensure that the terrorists don’t manage to take cover of dense fog for infiltration.
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