Senior Police Officer Reveals Presence of Three Active Terrorist Groups in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri and Poonch Districts
06-08-2023 : Senior Police Officer, Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, revealed that around three groups of terrorists, consisting of two to three extremists each, are actively operating in the Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the security forces’ determination to eradicate terrorism from the region. Singh, accompanied by Army’s Romeo Force Major General Mohit Trivedi, addressed the media in Rajouri, where an encounter between terrorists and security forces had been ongoing since Saturday. During the operation, a suspected Pakistani terrorist in combat uniform was killed, and a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK assault rifle and two pistols, was recovered from him.
The police party, along with the Army, responded promptly to the presence of terrorists in the Gundah-Khawas village of Budhal, leading to a cordon-and-search operation. In the ensuing encounter, the terrorists opened fire, and the joint forces of the police, Army, and CRPF retaliated, resulting in the elimination of one terrorist. Another terrorist is still believed to be present in the village, and efforts to neutralize him are ongoing. The evidence recovered from the encounter scene, such as raincoats and food items, suggests that the terrorists were trained to survive in jungle conditions, indicating their preparedness for prolonged operations.
Singh acknowledged the recent successful encounters, including the elimination of six terrorists, four of whom were killed in Surankote, Poonch on July 18. He stressed that despite continuous attempts from across the border to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere by infiltrating terrorists into the Indian side, the security forces are doubling their efforts to thwart such activities and eliminate terrorism from the region.
When asked about the terrorists’ plan, Singh stated that it would be a matter of investigation, and a thorough analysis would be conducted post-encounter. The possibility of the slain terrorist’s involvement in the Dhangri attack, where seven civilians were killed in January, is also under investigation, and eyewitnesses will be called upon for identification.
Singh asserted that strict action is being taken against overground workers of terror groups, with many already booked under the Public Safety Act. Suspected individuals are under constant surveillance, and those found to have links with terrorism will face appropriate action.
Major General Trivedi credited the success against terrorists to the synergy among the Army, police, and other sister agencies, along with the cooperation of the local population. He assured that operations against terrorists would continue to ensure they are deprived of any foothold. The forces’ enhanced capabilities, with the induction of homemade firearms and night-vision devices, have bolstered their effectiveness in maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the region.
The joint forces are resolute in dealing sternly with anyone harboring ill intentions against the region or the country. The promise to uphold a peaceful atmosphere in the region remains steadfast.
