Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh said a major fidayeen (suicide) attack in Jammu has been averted with the elimination of the two heavily armed terrorists, as per news agency PTI report.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials said a bus carrying 15 personnel for their morning shift came under attack at 4.25 am near the Chaddha camp in Sunjwan.
A senior official of the paramilitary force said the terrorists fired at the bus and lobbed grenades, killing Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) S P Patil and injuring two other occupants.
The force retaliated effectively, the officer said. In the counter-terror operation, a terrorist was also killed, the CISF officer said. Later in a tweet, the CISF said its personnel were attacked by terrorists while going for an ongoing cordon and search operation.
According to the police, the gunfight began when terrorists opened fire on the search party. "Two terrorists were killed... They were carrying a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, which suggests that they were planning a fidayeen attack which was averted," the ADGP told reporters.
Two AK-47 rifles, an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher and a satellite phone were also recovered from them, he said. He said the search operation is still on to clear the entire area. Singh said it is a matter of investigation what exactly was the target of the terrorists and if they had recently infiltrated from across the border.
"The clear picture, including the identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists, will emerge after a thorough investigation," he said.
The officials said the slain terrorists are believed to be members of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit. They said nine security personnel, including two policemen, were injured in the gunfight. A CISF personnel and a police personnel sustained grievous injuries.
On National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, the prime minister is scheduled to visit Pali village, 17 km from here, to address a gathering.
This will be Modi's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir other than borders since the abrogation of the special status of the erstwhile state and its bifurcation in August 2019.
(With inputs from agencies)
