4 militants killed in Jammu’s Sidhra encounter

Alert QRT chases truck at appropriate spot; 7 AK 47 riffles, 1 M 4 carbine, 3 pistols among huge quantity of arms, ammo recovered from slain: ADGP Jammu; Major tragedy averted; affiliation of group, a matter of investigation: Army

jj correspondent

Jammu, Dec 28:Four heavily armed militants were killed in an encounter after security forces intercepted a Kashmir-bound truck they were travelling-in on the highway town at Sidhra on Jammu outskirts on Wednesday.
War likes stores including seven AK 47 rifles, one M4 carbine, and three pistols including hand grenades and other material were also recovered from the encounter site.
“Bodies of four terrorists have been recovered from the truck. Seven AK assault rifles, one M4 rifle, three pistols and a large quantity of ammunition were also seized from their possession,” said Mukesh Singh said, Additional Director General of police Jammu, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He said: “An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists at around 7.25 am near check post at Sidhra, amid intense fog near Tawi Bridge along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, when the police party tried to intercept at Kashmir bound truck coming in suspicious circumstances.”
A police official said that there was an input about unusual movement of a truck on the highway. “An alert was sounded and police party at Sidhra post tried to stop the truck. After being challenged, the driver managed to flee away and the terrorists hiding inside fired at security forces. Retaliatory firing was done,” he said.
The residents of Sidhara area woke up to the sounds of five to six grenade blasts followed by a heavy exchange of fire.
The joint operation was carried out by army, CRPF and J&K. Police said that the intense firing from both sides continued for about an hour in which the truck caught fire and later the fire tenders pressed in to douse the fire.
“After the sanitization of the spot, security forces recovered four bodies of the terrorists along with seven AK 47 rifles, three pistols and other incriminated materials,” the police official said.
Moreover, General Officer Commanding of Army’s Tiger Division, Major General Gaurav Gautam told reporters that the interception of the terrorists was the result of “high alert” of security agencies.
“All the material recovered from the possession of the (slain) terrorists is being scrutinised and analysed. We are not aware of the group… whether they came from across the border or not, is a matter of investigation. The only thing we can tell right now is that the truck was going from Jammu towards Srinagar side,” the senior army officer said.
He added as of now the threat have been successfully naturalized in a joint operation, which out any collateral damage.
“At this juncture I can’t able to tell more but four terrorists have been killed in a joint operation,” an army officer said, adding “seven AK 47 rifles and thee pistols have been recovered from the spot.”
He said that more details about the association of terrorist and their plans is part of investigation and will be shared at appropriate time.
How Encounter broke:
Addition Director General of Police Jammu Zone said that security forces have been on alert and border grid was increased in view of Republic Day.
“The alert Highway QRT (Quick Response Team) noticed an unusual movement of truck which is roaming on highway in odd hours. The usual timing of truck movement is different but suspicious truck carrying truck moved towards at different timing,” the ADGP said.
The alert QRT silently chase the truck and intercepted at appropriate spot, where civilian population is minimal and chances of collateral damage were minimum.
The driver of truck was signalled to stop at check post, far away from city. However, sensing trouble, the driver managed to flee from the spot and terrorists inside opened fire at police party, which was followed by retaliatory fire and encounter broke out.
Meanwhile, a manhunt was launched to arrest the drive which still absconding.
“Alert has been sounded to nab the fled drive. All SHO’s and other security establishment directed to search for driver at every nook and corner of are under their responsibility,” the ADGP said.
Moreover, the encounter comes after the police on Monday defused an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing 15 kilograms which was recovered in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district—averting a major terror plan—(KNO)