Four Militants Travelling in a Truck Killed in an Encounter in Jammu's SIdra

Srinagar: Four militants were killed in a morning encounter in the Sidra area of Jammu outskirts on Wednesday after a truck ferrying them was allegedly intercepted at a checkpost by security forces ensuing in a shootout.

Following the encounter, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh, told reporters that the forces were alerted after witnessing an unusual movement of the truck plying on the highway.

“We had alerted the border security grid in view of January 26 (Republic Day), and the QRT (Quick Reaction Team) spotted the unusual movement of the truck. Usually, there is a truck movement after 12 pm,” Singh said.

The ADGP added that as the truck reached the Sidra checkpost, it was stopped, and the driver came down, but he ran away.

“While the truck was being checked, a fire was shot from inside, which was retaliated ensuing the gunfight,” he said.

The driver of the vehicle is still absconding, according to a senior police official.

The sound of gunfire and blasts created an air of fear in the vicinity along the Udhampur highway. The police sources said the suspected militants had recently infiltrated from across the Line of Control (LoC) and were on their way to Kashmir valley.

Wednesday’s encounter occurred close to the spot where a grenade explosion was earlier reported on December 6. There were, however, no injuries reported in the incident.

ADGP Singh confirmed to NewsClick that the operation has ended.

The police have also recovered seven AK assault rifles, one M4 rifle, three pistols and a significant amount of ammunition from the slain militants. The identity of the slain men is yet to be ascertained.

Following the encounter, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at the government, which she said, has failed to control militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The government claims that it has finished militancy from Jammu and Kashmir. Today, the militancy has hit Jammu as well, and it is their biggest failure,” Mufti told reporters.

The former chief minister added that it is “unfortunate” that the militancy has spread to the Jammu region now.

“The fact is that they (government) have totally failed to control militancy in the region,” she argued.

The senior PDP leader also claimed that the government might use issues like COVID or militancy to stop the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra in the region.

In Kashmir valley, close to 150 incidents of violence have been reported in 2022, in which at least 30 civilians have been killed, and a total of 190 militants have been killed. There has been an uptick in violence in the Jammu division, with many of these incidents being reported from Pir Panjal valley, against which the authorities have heightened the counter-insurgency measures.