Security forces on Tuesday recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district. One Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant was killed in a night-long operation in central Kashmir’s Budgam on Tuesday.
“On receipt of credible information, a joint search operation was launched by the police and the Army. A consignment of arms and ammunition was recovered from Sohal Khad, at 12:50 a.m. on the intervening night of 21, 22 September, SSP Kathua Shridhar Patil said.
He said while recovering the consignment a drone sound was heard. “But due to darkness it was not visible.”
The arms recovered included two AK-47 assault rifles, two AK magazines, 90 rounds, one star pistol, two pistol magazines. etc.
A police spokesman said the body of the slain militant was retrieved from the site of encounter. “He has been identified as Asif Shah resident of Samboora Pulwama and was affiliated with the JeM,” the spokesman said.
One soldier was injured in the initial exchange of fire. He has been admitted to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital.
The joint cordon-and-search operation, launched by the Budgam police, Army’s 53 Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF in the area on Monday afternoon, was halted for the night and firing resumed in the morning.
“Terrorists were offered the opportunity to surrender. However, they started firing indiscriminately and threw grenades upon the joint search party,” the police said.
One associate is believed to have escaped from the encounter site, taking advantage of the darkness.
“Incriminating material and arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter,” the police said.
The body of the killed terrorist would be sent to Handwara for his last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities, the police said.