Jammu, Dec 28:At least four terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the wee hours on Wednesday in the Sidhra bypass area along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
According to ADGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, at around 7:25 am, a suspicious movement of a truck was noticed on the National Highway at Sidhra area.
“This truck was intercepted by a joint team of police and army at Sidhranaka,” the police officer said, adding, “during checking of the vehicle, the hiding terrorists opened fire upon the security forces, resulting in an encounter with the security forces”.
In the ensuing encounter, the police officer said, four terrorists were killed and a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 7 AK-47 rifles, 1 M-4 rifle, 1 pistol, 14 grenades and around Rs 50000 cash along with ammunition in pouches, was recovered.
The ADGP Jammu further said that the scrutiny of the seized items is being done to obtain clues about the identity of the killed terrorists and the driver.
“Other scientific and electronic evidence is also being collected to identify the terror group to which the terrorists belonged and to identify the OGW support structure of the terrorists,” he said.
According to the senior police officer, the driver of the car had already fled the scene on the pretext of answering to nature’s call.
“The owner of the truck is yet to be identified. The number plate of the truck was found to be fake. The engine and chassis number has also been tampered with. Police have approached the forensic teams for help while a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the absconding driver,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police officer said that a high alert has been sounded in the entire Jammu region and the SHOs of the concerned police stations, in-charges of the police posts and other forces have also been alerted to remain vigilant.
He said security has also been beefed up at Bus Stands, railway stations and other market places.
“A FIR has been registered in this regard and investigation started,” added the police officer.
Pertinently, two weeks back, a huge consignment of arms and ammunition was also recovered from a truck in Narwal area of Jammu district. Considering these developments, a high alert had been sounded in all the districts of Jammu province.
SIU raids multiple locations in south Kashmir
In connection with terrorism case, Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Wednesday raided multiple locations in Shopian and Pulwama districts . During the raids, various incriminating materials were recovered, officials said.
A police official said SIU conducted raids at various locations in Shopian, Zainpora and Pulwama, in connection with an investigation of the terror-related case of PS Kellar Shopian.
“Incriminating materials including mobile phones were seized during the raids”, it said.
“Proper SOPs were followed during the raids. These raids are carried out to eliminate the terror ecosystem in the district by identifying various Over Ground Workers and supporters of terrorism.
The official said such raids will continue in the future also for the logical conclusion of all UAPA cases”, he said.
