Terrorists Neutralized in J&K's Akhnoor Were Affiliated With Jaish-e-Mohammed

Jammu: Terrorists Neutralized in encounter with security forces in Jammu region's Akhnoor sector were affiliated with terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, y h recently infiltrated into area from Pakistan -occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials said.

y reported that terrorists were planning a major attack, using Akhnoor route that has historically been used by operatives of banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group.

Intelligence reports indicate that terrorists entered Akhnoor region through Battal area, and a seized wireless set confirmed ir link to JeM.

Unlike typical strategies of infiltrating terrorists, who often opt "conservation and consolidation" tactics, se ultras were reportedly aiming for a substantial attack, officials said.

Notwithstanding assertions me by Major General Sameer Srivastava, General Officer Commanding of Army's 10 Infantry division, that area h not seen infiltration for an extended period, officials noted that re were prior reports of terrorist movements in December and April of previous year.

Maj. Gen. Srivastava h indicated that terrorists in region were operating in small groups and h moved to Akhnoor for a planned offensive.

encounter broke out on Monday morning when three local teenage boys visiting Shiv Mandir Assan in Battal encountered armed terrorists dressed in combat gear.

On being asked by boys if y were military personnel, terrorists reacted aggressively, threatening boys with serious consequences if y talked about ir presence to anyone. terrorists followed boys until y reached a main ro.

As y saw two Army vehicles -- a Maruti Gypsy and an ambulance -- on ro, terrorists opened fire targeting Army convoy and retreated towards temple.

In response, special forces and National Security Guard (NSG) commandos swiftly launched an operation, resulting in elimination of all three terrorists.

In an unprecedented move, Army deployed four BMP-II infantry combat vehicles to enhance surveillance and fortify cordon around attack site near Assan temple in Jogwan village, situated along Line of Control (LoC) in Khour area.

BMP-II, a Soviet-era infantry combat vehicle, is equipped with a 30-mm fully-stabilised automatic cannon, a 7.62-mm machine gun and a range of vanced features, including night vision and smoke-grene launchers.

Helicopters were also deployed to assist in locating hiding terrorists in dense forests of region.

(Inputs from PTI)