Jammu, Feb 1: Two terrorists gunned down by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) at Khari Karmara sector in Poonch district last night are believed to be part of a group of three fidayeens of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit who were planning to infiltrate into this side with a view to carry out a major terror attack.
“Number of the terrorists appeared to be three which is evident from recovery of three AK-47 rifles and one pistol from their possession,” sources told but said third terrorist appeared to have escaped back to Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) taking cover of darkness overnight after his two colleagues were eliminated by the troops.
They said bodies of two terrorists have been recovered from the site of fierce gun battle overnight and both of them looked like Pakistanis. Recoveries made from their possession indicated that they were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.
Troops didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation which continued throughout the night but there was no trace of third terrorist. Army continued searches in Khari Karmara and surrounding areas of the LoC during the day today but it was believed that third associate of slain terrorists escaped back to PoJK in an injured condition leaving behind his weapon and ammunition.
“Recoveries from the terrorists showed that the terrorists were trying to infiltrate into Poonch with a view to carry out major fidayeen attack but their attempt was thwarted by alert troops on the LoC,” the sources said.
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Udhampur-based Northern Command Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar complimented the White Knight Corps for their swift action and precise execution in neutralising two terrorists and recovery of war-like stores in Poonch.
“The Indian Army stands by its commitment to keep Jammu (and) Kashmir terror-free,” the Army commander said on X.
Sources said Pakistan army has been trying to infiltrate terrorists from the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri to step up subversive activities in the Jammu region but has failed in its attempts due to heightened security by the Indian side. In the past also, a number of terror attempts have been successfully thwarted by security forces.
There has been presence of terrorists in upper reaches of Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts. Army, paramilitary forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police and Special Operations Group (SOG) have strengthened their positions in the upper reaches to neutralize the terrorists.
Multiple search operations are being conducted in different areas to track down the terrorists and the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) assisting them. A number of successes have been achieved by police in crushing upper ground network of the terrorists in the recent past.
“The Winter Management Strategy of security forces is also in place on the LoC,” the sources pointed out.
On the other, they said, the International Border (IB) has been calm for the past couple of months in both Jammu and Punjab sectors.
