Jammu, Oct 29 – Three terrorists were eliminated during a round-the-clock surveillance operation that began following a failed ambush attempt on an Army vehicle in the Battal area of Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 28. The Nagrota-based White Knight Corps announced the significant victory after an intense firefight early Tuesday morning.
The operation resulted in the recovery of war-like stores, underscoring ongoing efforts to enhance security in the region. Further details are expected as authorities continue their assessments of the situation.
According to officials, fresh firing erupted early Tuesday morning in the cordoned-off area of Battal, located near the Line of Control (LoC), culminating in the deaths of three terrorists. This encounter followed an earlier incident on Monday, where one terrorist was killed during a gunfight after an attack on Army vehicles in the Akhnoor sector. Tragically, the Army also lost an expert dog named ‘Phantom’ during this confrontation. Security forces managed to recover the body of the slain terrorist along with a weapon while intensifying efforts to neutralize other terrorists believed to be hiding in the area.
“A Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) is still ongoing. The Army has deployed helicopters, drones, and advanced technological equipment to assist ground forces in the operation that commenced early this morning,” officials stated.
The encounter was triggered when a group of terrorists, believed to be three in number, ambushed Army vehicles in the Sunderbani area. The Army swiftly cordoned off the region, establishing contact with the hiding terrorists, leading to the subsequent gunfight. During the fierce encounter, one unidentified terrorist was killed, and security forces sealed off all potential escape routes while additional reinforcements were dispatched to the site.
Intelligence sources indicated that the three terrorists are believed to have recently infiltrated from the LoC, which is located just two kilometers from the encounter site. National Security Guards (NSG) commandos were also deployed to assist the Army and Jammu police in the Battal area.
For operational support, the Army utilized Russian-made BMP-II infantry combat vehicles, commonly known as ‘Sarath,’ to bolster their efforts during the CASO.
In an earlier statement regarding the operation, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed, “The body of one terrorist along with a weapon has been recovered. Operations are ongoing.”
The Army also paid tribute to its fallen canine hero, Phantom, acknowledging his bravery. “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 defense spokesperson remarked.
Additional Director General of Police Jammu, Anand Jain, along with Shiv Kumar, DIG of the Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, visited the encounter site to review the ongoing operations with Army officers.
In the past week alone, at least 12 individuals, including two soldiers, have lost their lives in various terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the persistent security challenges in the region.