Yogesh
Jammu, Jul 18: After over three months of hunting, the Army on Tuesday struck first major success after months by killing four foreign terrorists in an intelligence based covert operation, who were involved in a series of terror attacks, which had claimed lives of army personnel and civilians in Rajouri-Poonch sector in the recent past.
Well-placed defence sources said that security forces including Army’s elite Para commandos continued the hunting operation in the thick forests area in Rajouri –Poonch to eliminate terrorists group involved in recent terror attacks in the sector including May 5 ambush at Kesari Hill area where five of its men lost lives, infamous Dangri village attack in January were 7 civilian was brutally gun down and Bhata Dhurian terror attack, where five army men carrying Iftar items for villagers were fired upon and later vehicle set ablaze.
Officials added that the army recently foiled around half of dozen infiltration bids at Line of Control (LoC) but hunting and killing four Pakistani terrorists in the hinterland was seen as major success for security apparatus, particularly the Indian Army, which is restlessly pursuing Op Trinetra.
“Four foreign terrorists were eliminated this morning after a successful and coordinated search of the area was carried out, following very specific inputs,” said Commander Sector 6 of Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Brigadier M P Singh while addressing a press conference in Poonch. The Commander was flanked by SSP Poonch Vinay Sharma.
The officer further said that during the search large quantities of arms and ammunition consisting of four AK series Rifles of Chinese mark and eight Magazines and 196 rounds.
Two 9 mm Pistols with Pakistan mark and three magazines and 24 rounds were also recovered.
“AKs found with the terrorists are with Chinese markings and Pistols are with Pakistan markings, which clearly indicate the involvement of our adversary in disturbing the peace and stability in Poonch- Rajouri sector,” the Commander said.
He maintained that the presence of such heavily armed terrorists in hinterland is indicative of attempts to destabilise the region, and if not neutralised in time, these terrorists could have carried out major terrorist initiated incidents, in coming days.
The officer further added that relentless efforts by security forces in the past few months have started to give results.
The army commander also lauded the role of the civilian population of the area for providing valuable inputs to lead successful operations.
“This operation is a hallmark, of cooperation between all the intelligence agencies and specially the police, with the Indian Army, who spearheaded this operation,” the commander said and adding, “I will be doing injustice, if I do not mention, the cooperation and support provided by the people in this endeavour, which speaks volumes of their belief, in our Nation.”
About Operation
Indian Army has been continuing relentless operations, in the past three months as part of Op Trinetra. On 16 July, input was received about movement of suspicious persons in the general area of Sindhrah – Bachianwali and Maidana.
Accordingly, the area was cordoned. On 17 July specific intelligence regarding the presence of armed terrorists near the village of Sindarah of Surankote Tehsil, District Poonch was received.
Based on this intelligence, Indian Army and Special Operations Group of Jammu Kashmir Police, further launched a specific cordon and search operation of this area. After establishing an effective cordon, the troops commenced their search and approached Village Sindrah.
Four terrorists, who had taken shelter in the forest near the village, opened indiscriminate fire on the approaching troops. Their fire was promptly retaliated, and the terrorists were pinned down in the area. The cordon was then readjusted to deny any escape to the terrorists.
Special Forces were also inducted, to augment the operation. The terrorists making use of the terrain, forest foliage and inclement weather kept opening fire onto our troops, in a desperate attempt to break the cordon. In a display of excellent junior leadership and coordination, between Indian Army and Jammu Kashmir Police, own troops displayed superior tactical acumen in retaliating to the terrorists fire in a controlled manner, while pinning them down, in the given area. The intermittent fire between terrorists and their own troops continued till about 5.30 am.
However, the troops in cordon, continued to be on the highest alert, to prevent the trapped terrorist from escaping. In the morning, a detailed search of the area was carried out.
The search resulted in the recovery of large quantities of arms and ammunition consisting of four AK series Rifles with eight Magazines and 196 rounds. Two 9 mm Pistols with three magazines and 24 rounds were also recovered. The bodies of the four neutralised terrorists were also found in the area.
