Four suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, who were hiding in a truck, were killed in an encounter with security forces on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Nagrota early this morning. Two policemen were injured during the gunfight. The police said it is likely that the terrorists were "planning a big attack" and that they were headed towards the Kashmir valley.
The encounter started at around 5 am after the truck in which terrorists were travelling was intercepted by security forces personnel near the Ban toll plaza in Nagrota, on the outskirts of Jammu city, on the highway during a routine check, officials said. Security forced had received inputs about the movement of terrorists from Samba sector towards the Nagrota toll plaza.
CCTV visuals from the area showed an explosion in the truck.
While the driver of the truck is missing, a large number of weapons, including 11 AK-47 rifles, three pistols and 29 grenades, were recovered from them.
"The truck is absconding, we're looking for him. It's possible that they were planning a big attack. It is one of the largest seizures of its kind in the recent past, It's unprecedented. It's possible that they were targeting the DDC (District Development Council) election. However, we're investigating," said Mukesh Singh, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu zone.
After the truck was stopped at around 5 am, CRPF soldiers and police personnel were fired upon with heavy ammunition, Mr Singh said during a press conference. Grenades were also thrown, he said. More forces were called in and encounter lasted for three hours.
The area has been sanitised and security has been tightened.
According to officials, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been closed for vehicular traffic because of the encounter.
(With inputs from ANI)
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