Srinagar, May 31:The Army on Wednesday foiled an infiltration attempt with the arrest of three terrorists along with a huge consignment of arms and narcotics along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.
“Three terrorists were arrested and a soldier was injured as the Army foiled a major infiltration bid along Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu region. Apart from arms, ammunition, 10 kg IED was recovered from their possession,” police said.
Defence PRO, Jammu, Lt. Colonel Devender Anand said that in a joint operation by Army along with the police, 3-4 terrorists were intercepted on Line of Control in Poonch sector while attempting to cross the fence on the intervening night of May 30-31, taking advantage of the bad weather and heavy rain.
“After tracking the movement at about 1.30 a.m., an ambush of the Army was fired upon and in the retaliatory fire-fight some terrorists have been hit,” he said, adding, the area was cordoned and search operation was in progress. Blood trails were also found.
“Three terrorists with some weapons, besides war like stores including one improvised explosive device and narco, have been apprehended,” the Army said.
One Army jawan was injured in the ensuing firing and has been evacuated to nearby hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable, he said.
Meanwhile, security forces recovered a huge cache from the terrorists which included AK 56 Rifle with a balance of 10 rounds in the magazine(rest ammunition was fired by the terrorist who is subsequently injured). two pistol with two x Magazines and 70 rounds, IED of approx 10-12 kg and 4. 06 x Chinese Grenades.
The officer said with the seizure of a harmless looking pressure cooker IED, troops foiled the terrorist’s sinister plot to carry out Pulwama type bombing to inflict maximum casualty of security force personnel deployed in the twin border district of Poonch and Rajouri.
A police officer told Rising Kashmir that the incident took place at forward Karmara village in Gulpur sector after troops guarding the border picked up suspicious movement and challenged the persons which led to a gunfight.
Accused have been identified as Mohd Farooq (26), who received a bullet injury on his leg, Mohd Riaz (23) and Mohd Zubair (22), all residents of Karmara.
“They are believed to have received the arms and narcotic consignment from across the border and were trying to smuggle it into this side when they were intercepted by the troops,” he said.
The official said the seizure made from the arrested persons included an AK assault rifle, two pistols, six grenades, a 10 kg IED which was planted inside a pressure cooker and 20 packets of suspected heroin worth over ₹100 crore.
“Later a Bomb disposal team was called to the site. They diffused it in a secure and safe manner. The alertness and swift action of security forces averted any kind of mishap and prevented any disruption to routine lives,” the officer added.
On May 6, five soldiers including 4 Para commandos from the 9 Para (Special Forces) lost their lives in a terrorist ambush in Kandi forest area of Rajouri.
Earlier in the month of March, five soldiers were killed in Tota Gali area of Bhata Dhurian area of Poonch sector when an Army vehicle was fired upon by “unidentified terrorists” who took advantage of heavy rain and low visibility in the area.
