Attempt to sabotage PM Modi’s J&K visit? DGP hits at ‘conspiracy’ by killed terrorists

New Delhi: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jammu & Kashmir visit, two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were neutralised by security forces in ‘Operation All Out’ in North Kashmir. More than 9 security personnel have been injured in the encounter that took place near the outskirts of Jammu region.

Guns, explosives & satellite phones have been recovered from their custody.

Since, the operation took place in a relatively peaceful region, a conspiracy is being seen by Pak-based terrorists to sabotage PM Modi’s proposed rally in the state.

According to initial investigations, the terrorists infiltrated in the outskirts of Jammu city & were staying in a locality close to the Army camp.

Speaking on the alleged conspiracy, Jammu & Kashmir DGP Dibag Singh said that the encounter took just two days before PM Modi’s visit and a large conspiracy can’t be ruled out.

“It is part of a big conspiracy to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Jammu & it could be big conspiracy to sabotage the visit,” Dibag Singh said.

“It looks that they have freshly infiltrated into this side (from Pakistan). They have no history (of terror activities) in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Additional Director General of Police of Jammu Mukesh Singh notified that the attack in Sunjwan began when the police’s Special Operations Group and the CRPF carried out a joint search operation in that area. Further, he stated that one security force personnel was killed and three more suffered injuries in the gunfight. “The encounter is going on,” he said.

Notably, a search operation was launched following specific information about the presence of at least two heavily armed terrorists, probably belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit, in the premises adjacent to the Sunjwan military station to carry out a major strike on the city, reported the officials. Reportedly, the terrorists hurled a grenade and opened fire on the search parties who retaliated, triggering a gunfight.

According to CISF sources, at around 4:20 AM about 15 personnel were travelling in a bus to Chaddha camp for their morning duty when the incident took place. “Just near the camp they came under fire. Grenades were lobbed and there was firing from 3 to 4 sides. Because of darkness exact number of terrorists couldn’t be ascertained,” the sources said.

“The CISF men retaliated from the bus forcing the attackers to flee. It is suspected that they subsequently took shelter in some house nearby. The encounter began soon after with CRPF, police, and others,” they said.

Operation is underway to neutralise the terrorists while reinforcements have been rushed to the area.