2 militants killed; toll reaches 3

Jammu, Oct 29: Security forces Tuesday, in their final assault, neutralised two holed-up militants, in dense forests, thus eliminating three militants, who had made an abortive bid to ambush an Army convoy on October 28 near the Assan temple of Khour in Akhnoor sector of Jammu district.

It took security forces around 28 hours or so to eliminate all three militants, following an intense gun battle, which also saw ample use of technology and Artificial Intelligence for surveillance, leading to a “successful and clean operation.”

However, the Army lost its valiant canine soldier - Phantom, in the operation.

The encounter began on Monday morning, after the militants opened fire at an Army convoy near Assan temple at Battal, in jurisdiction of Khour Police Station, in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district.

One militant was killed on Monday.

Officials said that the operation, which was suspended in the evening, resumed this morning with the first light.

“In the well-coordinated operation, joined by special forces and NSG commandos also, the remaining two terrorists were killed within two hours or so,” officials said.

“All three hardcore terrorists were eliminated post intense fire-fight. After round-the-clock surveillance throughout the night, an intense fire-fight unfolded today morning, resulting in a significant victory for our forces,” Army’s White Knight Corps posted on ‘X’, following a successful operation, confirming the killing of all three terrorists.

“Relentless operations and tactical excellence have led to the elimination of three terrorists. The operation also saw the successful recovery of war-like stores, marking a critical step in maintaining security in the region,” the White Knight Corps said.

Notably, in the encounter, an Army ambulance, part of the convoy, was hit by a volley of bullets, however, swift retaliation by the Army personnel foiled the ambush attempt.

“Following the sighting of terrorists, all our security forces – Army, J&K Police and CRPF were mobilised and immediately the area was cordoned off. After the encounter began, yesterday one terrorist was neutralised. As the dusk set in, the operation was suspended. But the area remained under strict cordon and in the morning, the search resumed,” SSP Jammu, Joginder Singh stated, while responding to the media queries, immediately after the elimination of three terrorists.

“During search operations, contact with the terrorists was established. During cross-firing, two holed-up terrorists were neutralised. So far, three terrorists have been eliminated. On our part, there was no casualty or injury. Search operation continues. After the retrieval of dead bodies, the area will be cleared and then the operation will be called off,” SSP said.

Following the operation, war-like stores were also recovered.

According to PRO Defence Jammu, recoveries included one M4; 2 AK-47; 3 M4 magazines; 8 AK magazines; 1 pistol; 20 9mm pistol rounds; 77 7.62mm rounds; 129 5.56mm rounds; 1 solar panel; 3 knives; 1 power bank with USB Cable; 1 binocular; 1 hand grenade; 2 pistol cases; 1 digital Casio watch; 1 small note pad; 1 sentry silencer; 3 pairs of shoes; 3 ammunition pouches; 4 ponchos; 3 blankets; 1 side pouch; 2 shirts; 4 trousers; 1 wire cutter; 1 screw driver; 22 pencil cells; 3 bundles of cotton packet; 3 bundles of cotton patty; 2 napkins; 3 bottles with Honey; 8 water bottles Plastic (1 Litre each); 3 back packs or rucksacks; 4 bottles of liquid medicines; 15 loose medicines; 2 packets of (approximately 200 gms) cashew; 3 packets (approximately 200 gms) dates; 2 packets of Chana (approximately 200 gms each); 3 packets of (approximately 200 gms each) raisin (Kismish); 2 packets of almonds (approximately 200 gms each); 2 packets of candies; 1 scissor; 1 weapon oil (100 ml); 1 tooth brush; 3 lighters; 1 ointment; 1 belt;  4 pairs of socks; 1 green thread; 3 dry coconuts; 4 edible paste (Yellow); 1 pair of gloves; 2 polythene sets; 4 zip ties and 3 small bottles of Betadine with drip.