Posted on 08/21/2002 10:44:51 PM PDT by swarthyguy
JAMMU, Aug 21: Security forces today eliminated three terrorists including a ‘deputy commander’ of Lashkar-e-Toiba in three separate operations across Surankote and Mendhar tehsils of Poonch district and defused a powerful IED at Sher Bibi between Ramban-Banihal section of Jammu-Srinagar national highway this morning. Traffic on the highway remained suspended for more than three hours till army personnel defused the explosive device.
Official reports said the terrorists had planted a powerful 20 kg weight IED at Sher Bibi on the national highway to target security forces and civilian vehicles. The IED was detected by a Road Opening Party (ROP) of army at 0900 hours today.
Troops sounded an alert on the highway immediately after detecting the IED and ordered suspension of vehicular movement. A Bomb Disposal Squad of army was requisitioned to neutralise the IED.
Reports said it took the Bomb Disposal more than one and a half hours to defuse the explosive device, which was very powerful and was first of its kind to be detected on Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only road link between Jammu and Srinagar.
After neutralising the IED, army personnel sanitised entire stretch of the highway between Ramban and Banihal for next one and a half hour before releasing suspended traffic, the reports said.
Meanwhile, army and police, in a joint operation today, gunned down a ‘deputy commander’ of LeT outfit after a three hour long operation in Snehi Gali, Surankote. Identified as Abu Umer, a Pakistani, the terrorist was being chased by army for last three days when they had gunned down Umer’s one of the associate in Snehi forests.
Finally, the reports said, the success came this afternoon when army and police jawans intercepted Abu Umer and his two body-guards in Snehi Gali. While Umer was eliminated, his two body-guards fled away. They were being chased.
Recoveries made from Abu Umer included one Pika gun, 140 rounds, one I com radio set in damaged condition, eight hand grenades and Rs 48,000 cash in Indian currency.
In another incident, army raided a hideout of the terrorists at Tila Mohalla in Fagla area of Surankote tehsil in Poonch district in wee hours of this morning. However, the terrorists could sense movement of approaching columns of the troops and fanned out in the surrounding forest area.
Army soldiers chased the fleeing ultras and gunned down one of them after an hour long operation. No casualties were reported on army side. Other terrorists managed to escape but army personnel continued searches for them.
One AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 58 rounds and some explosive devices were recovered from the scene of encounter, the reports said, adding identity of the slain terrorist couldn’t be established immediately.
The third terrorist was killed by army this afternoon in Gursai Gali in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch. Slain terrorist remained unidentified but was stated to be a Pakistani. One rifle and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorist.
Meanwhile, three shepherds, who had been kidnapped by the terrorists from Sarawa, Kishtwar yesterday reached their homes safely today.
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