Jammu, October 28: Although official sources said earlier on Monday that three terrorists involved in an attempted ambush on an army vehicle in J&K’s Akhnoor area had been killed, the Indian army has so far confirmed the killing of only one terrorist in this operation.

Army said that one terrorist was killed in a gunfight after an army vehicle was attacked in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district falling in the Sunderbani sector along the Line of Control (LoC). The army also lost its expert dog, “Phantom” in the gunfight. Akhnoor Terror Attack: All 3 Terrorists Involved in Attempted Ambush on Army Van Killed in Encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Battal (Watch Video).

Security forces recovered the body of the slain terrorist along with a weapon while intensifying efforts to neutralise suspected terrorists believed to be holed up in the area. “A Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) still going on. Army has pressed into service a helicopter, drones and other technology gadgets to support ground forces as they conduct the operation, which began early in the morning”, officials said.

The encounter broke out after a group of terrorists, believed to be three in number, attacked the army vehicles at Sunderbani early in the morning. The army acted swiftly by cordoning off the area after which contact with the hiding terrorists was established leading to an encounter. In the fierce encounter, one unidentified terrorist was killed as the operation was underway.  J-K: One Terrorist Gunned Down, Two on Run After Attack on Army Convoy Near Assan Mandir in Battal.

Security forces have sealed all potential exit points while additional reinforcements have been rushed to the area. These three terrorists are believed to have recently infiltrated. National Security Guards (NSG) commandos also reached the Assan Mandir of the Battal area of Akhnoor to assist the army and Jammu police, which were leading the operation.

Russian-made Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty commonly known as BMP-II, the infantry combat vehicle also known as ‘Sarath’, has been deployed in Akhnoor to support the CASO. Intelligence sources said this fresh infiltration from LoC took place this morning because the border is just 2 km from the encounter side.

According to the army the body of one terrorist, along with a weapon, has been recovered. After an attempted ambush that did not cause any damage, the terrorists escaped into the forest area. “The body of one terrorist along with a weapon has been recovered. Operations are under progress,” the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps tweeted.

The army also paid rich tributes to its expert dog, Phantom. “We salute the supreme sacrifice of our true hero—a valiant #IndianArmy Dog, #Phantom. As our troops were closing in on the trapped terrorists, #Phantom drew enemy fire, sustaining fatal injuries. His courage, loyalty, and dedication will never be forgotten,” the defence spokesman said.

Additional Director General of Police Jammu and DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range also visited the encounter site with army officers and reviewed ongoing operations. Sources said that security forces are preparing for a final assault as the army kept firing rocket launchers towards a suspected spot, where terrorists might be hiding.

They said that there was no firing from Pakistani terrorists since long after hitting them with Rocket Launchers (RL). Searchers started by the army to recover their bodies if killed in army action. Earlier reports had circulated suggesting three militants had been neutralised in the encounter. However, these were refuted by both the police and the Army. “We deny reports that three terrorists have been neutralised. No injuries were reported from the attempted ambush on the Army vehicle. Investigations are still ongoing,” clarified a police spokesperson.

The spokesperson also urged calm among the public and advised against spreading unverified information. “The situation remains under control. Security forces are closely monitoring the area, following recent alerts for the border districts,” he added. In the past week, at least 12 people, including two soldiers were killed in separate incidents of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2024 11:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).