Alarm bells as 3 youths go missing in Kishtwar
Weapons dropped by drone in Samba seized
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 6: Two foreign militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed while another was trapped in Upper Panghai forests of Thannamandi in Rajouri district today when they were on way to Dera Ki Gali (DKG) to reach Mughal Road and cross over to South Kashmir after infiltration from the Line of Control (LoC) along with large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives.
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Security forces also recovered two wireless sets and other items from LoC in Mankot sector of Poonch while three youths have gone missing from Upper Tandar, Sondar and Patimahal in Kishtwar district sending alarm bells ringing among security agencies.
Police sources said Army, CRPF and police were jointly hunting a group of three to four militants in different parts of Rajouri district for last about 10 days after reports that they had infiltrated from the Line of Control and will take route of mountains along Mughal Road to reach South Kashmir. Few days back, they were spotted at Kanyal Gali in Gurdan area but escaped under the cover of heavy rains before security forces could lay cordon.
Early today, security personnel got specific input that the militants were trekking through
-Excelsior/Nischant
Panghai forests in Thannamandi area to reach Dera Ki Gali on way to South Kashmir trekking forests along Mughal Road.
“A contact with the militants was established in the morning leading to heavy firefight in which two militants were killed,” Additional DGP Jammu Mukesh Singh said.
DIG Rajouri-Poonch range Vivek Gupta said search operation was on and cordon has been further tightened amid reports about presence of one more militant in the area.
Reports suggest that the militant has been injured in the operation.
“Both the slain militants were foreigners, most likely the Pakistanis, affiliated with proscribed militant outfit of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Recoveries made from their possession include two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, four grenades, pouches, medicine packets etc,” sources said.
The militants were reported to have infiltrated from the Line of Control somewhere in Rajouri district for reaching South Kashmir after trekking through Pir Panjal mountains.
Identity of the militants hasn’t been established so far.
Security forces have strengthened cordon in Panghai forests and surrounding to ensure that the militant don’t manage to escape during the night. Search operation was suspended at 8 pm and will résumé early tomorrow morning to eliminate or arrest the surviving militant, who is also believed to be the foreign mercenary.
Rajouri is stated to be almost free of active militants except the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) operating along the Line of Control who shift consignment of weapons to different places. Few months back, a freshly infiltrated militant had managed to reach Kalakote where he was gunned down by the security forces while his associate had remained untraced.
Majority of infiltration attempts from the LoC in Nowshers, Sunderbani and Keri sectors in Rajouri district have been foiled by the troops. Last month, troops had gunned down three militants in Sunderbani sector who had infiltrated to this side from Pakistan. Two Army jawans were martyred in the gun battle. In Nowshera sector, one militant was killed while a security personnel was injured.
Meanwhile, Poonch police today recovered two wireless sets, two adapters, one torch and mobile data cable from near Sheep Farm at Balnoi in Mankote area.
Recoveries were made during the searches. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Meanwhile, three youth were reportedly missing—one each from Upper Tandar, Segarna Soundar and Patimahal in Kishtwar district.
Confirming that three youths were missing, police officials said efforts were on to trace there whereabouts.
Missing of three youth has sounded alarm bells among the security agencies who have established contact with their families to find out the actual position.
Meanwhile, Army and police today recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Samba district.
SSP Samba Rajesh Sharma told the Excelsior that on a tip off, police and Army conducted a search operation in Sarthian border hamlet.
During the search, they recovered two pistols, five magazines and 122 ammunition rounds concealed in a gunny bag.
The arms were possibly dropped by a drone from across the border. However, further investigation is on.
Grenade attack in Banihal town, 2 injured
Militants tonight lobbed a grenade targeting pre-fabricated sheds of MG Construction Company just near Banihal town in Ramban district causing injuries to two persons including one Madarsa student and a worker of the Construction Company.
Reports said the militants lobbed a grenade on the workers sleeping in their pre-fabricated sheds at 11 pm tonight.
The grenade fell between accommodation of MG Construction Company and Darool-Uloom Nomaniyan Madarsa.
Injured have been identified as Gopal Sharma (35) S/o Rattan Sharma R/o Udhampur and Mohammad Aqib (16) S/o Gull Mohammad R/o Mangit Banihal. They have been hospitalized.
Police teams rushed to the spot after getting report of the blast.
Army and para-military personnel also reached the site of blast. Area has been cordoned off and searches launched.
Militants, however, managed to escape after throwing the grenade.
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