Reasi, Jun 18: Army personnel during a search operation after a bus carrying pilgrims was ambushed by terrorists, in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, Monday, June 10, 2024. At least 9 people were killed and 33 others suffered injuries in the terror attack on the bus, according to officials.
Three people were apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir Police after they allegedly did not inform authorities that militants, who police said were behind back-to-back attacks on security personnel in Doda district, took food from them at gunpoint.
Sources said the three included a 17-year-old. A senior police officer said they were from Darman village in Jhai area of Doda’s Bhaderwah tehsil.
Militants had attacked a joint police-Army checkpoint in the Chattergala area of Bhaderwah, adjoining Kathua district, last Tuesday night. Five Army personnel and a police officer were injured in the attack.
The next day, when police and security forces were carrying out searches, the militants attacked again, this time at Kota Top in Bhalessa area of Gandoh tehsil. One police officer was injured.
Four militants are believed to have been behind the two attacks, which they carried out purportedly after spending a few days in the Jhai area.
Police believe that the militants, during their stay in Jhai, approached people who had been camping in the highland meadows of the area along with their livestock, and got food from them at gunpoint. Sources said the people did not inform the police about the incident.
After getting descriptions from the apprehended people, police have released sketches of all the four militants, who are believed to be Pakistani nationals. Police also believe that the militants are roaming in the upper areas of Bhaderwah, Thathri, and Gandoh in Doda district.
A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for information on their whereabouts.
Widespread searches for militants are also underway in different parts of the Jammu province, as police and security forces have stepped up vigil across the region.
In Reasi district, where militants attacked a Katra-bound bus carrying pilgrims on June 9, killing nine people and injuring several others, police have detained more than 50 suspects and said they uncovered significant leads in the identification of those potentially involved in orchestrating the attack.
Police have also expanded their search operations to far off areas of Arnas and Mahore. These operations, according to police, aim to uncover further evidence and apprehend militants who may be hiding in these remote areas of the district.–(The Indian Express)
