Udhampur, Jan 31 (KNS): Three Militants were killed in an encounter which broke out between militants and security forces near toll plaza in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning.
Reports said that a truck was intercepted by the security forces on the Srinagar Jammu national highway and the militants hiding in the truck opened indiscriminate firing on the security forces which resulted in the gun battle in the area.
According to the official sources, the militant group is suspected to have infiltrated from along the International Border (IB) Dayalachak area.
Police chief J&K Dilbag Singh said, the group of militants was en route to Srinagar when the police team intercepted the truck at the Bann toll plaza.
He said that one of the Militant was killed in the ensuing gunfight. However, the remaining militants managed to flee to the adjacent forest area, said Singh. The policeman, who received injuries, has been hospitalised for treatment.
He added, "An operation was carried out by a joint team of Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police .During this, two more Militant have been killed. As per preliminary reports, they all appear to be Pakistani Militant and belonged to JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammad).
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThis group had crossed the International Border from Dayalachak area last evening and they were on the way to Srinagar."
"Truck driver and conductor were arrested at a further checkpoint by our forces. Questioning is underway with the two," said Singh, adding that the search operation is still on as some inputs suggested that the number of Militant could be more.
In the wake of the incident, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed. Also, the entire forest belt was cordoned off.
IGP Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh, told reporters that the truck on its way to Kashmir was intercepted at the toll post at 5 am by a joint team of police and CRPF. There was firing from the truck resulting in injuries to one policeman, he said. Police and CRPF retaliated, killing a militant while the rest managed to escape towards the forest area, the IGP said.
The truck driver, has been identified as Maqbool, who according to police is an over ground worker, has been arrested and is being questioned, the IGP said. The truck was carrying polyvinyl and a cavity was created inside it to hide the militants, officials said. (KNS).