JAMMU: A group of five suspected terrorists travelling in a truck opened fire at Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, 35 km from the winter capital, injuring a civilian on Wednesday. Police have detained the truck driver and his helper, while the others managed to flee.
According to sources, the terrorists were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar and were intercepted near a dhaba in Jhajjar Kotli, where they had stopped for a meal. Barely a few metres from the dhaba, cops signalled the truck to stop after receiving reports of cattle smuggling. The driver, however, sped past the checkpost, and a chase ensued.
When cops caught up with the truck, the terrorists fired at the police party. Cops managed to detain the driver and his helper but three suspect fled the site and took cover in a forest nearby. An AK rifle and 3 magazines were recovered from the truck.
The police, Army and
CRPF have launched search operations in the area. Army choppers have also been pressed into service. Security forces have sounded a high alert in the area.
“They (terrorists) are in age group of 18-22 years. Two of them have AK Rifles and third has a pistol,” said a police spokesman, adding that a reward has been announced for any information of the terrorists.
Jammu SSP Vivek Gupta said, “Police posted at a checkpost on the highway signalled the truck to stop, but it sped up to avoid the naka checking. The truck was intercepted by a police team after a chase and one of the suspected terrorists fired on the cops from the vehicle before fleeing,” he said.
The injured person was identified as Ganesh Dass. He has been admitted to a hospital in Jammu.