Constable injured in Gandoh encounter

Jammu, June 12: Within hours after fierce exchange of fire at Chattargala rendering six security personnel injured, a fresh encounter erupted between security forces and terrorists at Kota Top in Gandoh, Doda on Wednesday evening.

A police constable was injured in an ongoing exchange of fire in Gandoh.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, five army personnel and a police cop had sustained injuries in the exchange of firing between security forces and terrorists. All the injured personnel are stable and out of danger.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban (DKR) range Shridhar Patil, earlier during the day, stated that search operation was on to neutralise the group of terrorists involved in Doda attack.

“Today, at approximately 8.20 pm, an encounter began between security forces and terrorists at Kota Top in Gandoh, Doda. During the encounter at Kota Top of Kerloo Bhalessa in Gandoh, a Constable Fareed Ahmed (No 973/D), who was posted with the Special Operations Group (SOG) there (in Gandoh), sustained injuries. The encounter is still ongoing, and further details are awaited,” a police spokesperson said.

Earlier, DIG Patil, while speaking to the media, gave a detailed account about the Chattargala encounter.

“For the past several days, we had been receiving inputs from intelligence agencies and the intelligence branch of our police about the movement of a group of terrorists. In the wake of these inputs, the army and SOG teams of police had established joint posts at a number of places in the higher reaches. Nakas were set up along the roads,” he said.

“This (site of firing) is the main road connecting Kathua near Chattargalla, which is the boundary of two districts (Doda and Kathua). There we have our naka, besides we have established a post also. This is a joint post of the army and the SOG of police. At this post during the night, when checking was underway; our sentry noticed a suspicious movement. When he challenged this movement, this ensued an exchange of fire, which lasted quite long, around one-and-a-hour or so,” DIG Patil stated.

He said that the security personnel deployed there fought valiantly and responded in equal measure.

“During the exchange of fire, our few personnel, including one police cop, sustained injuries. All are stable and are out of danger.  Searches are being conducted in the whole area, utilising modern equipment and other advanced paraphernalia. Soon we’ll neutralise this group (of terrorists),” he said.

Responding to a question about challenges posed by terrain, DIG Patil said, “As regards terrain is concerned, mountains are steep and dense forest stretch is there. Therefore we (security forces) have to make tactical moves and it impacts speed (movement of forces). This is the major difference when this stretch is compared to a plain area. It will take time to complete the search operation. Anyway, our main focus is to neutralise the terrorists while ensuring the safety of our jawans (personnel). Safety (of our personnel) is first and this will follow neutralisation.”

When asked about the number of terrorists there, he said, “Though I cannot tell the exact number of terrorists yet, seemingly it’s a group which may comprise three to four terrorists. There cannot be more than that (number).”

In the wake of terrorists’ attack, traffic movement on Bhaderwah-Pathankot highway was also suspended.

POLICE RELEASE SKETCHES OF 4 TERRORISTS; ANNOUNCE REWARD FOR INFO ABOUT TERRORISTS

In a related development, police in Doda this evening released sketches of four terrorists roaming in upper reaches of Bhaderwah, Thathri, Gandoh and involved in terror related activities.

The police also announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for providing information about each terrorist. In this connection, the police also shared a set of numbers.

By Sumit bhargav and Shuchismita