Four unidentified militants killed In Sidhra Jammu; 7 AK, 1 M-4 Rifles recovered, say J&K Police

J&K Police says the truck had a fake number plate, engine, chassis number was also tampered with, forensic help being sought.

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Srinagar: Four unidentified militants, travelling in a truck to Kashmir were killed in a “chance encounter” with a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army in Sidhra area of Jammu on Wednesday, police said.

A huge quantity of arms and ammunition including seven AK-47 rifles, one M-4 rifle, a pistol and 14 grenades were recovered, a police spokesperson said in a statement released to the media. Police also said that the truck driver fled from the scene and investigations so far have revealed that the number plate of the truck has been found to be fake while its engine and chassis number was found “tampered”.

“On the eve of January 26 and considering previous history of interception of (militants) during this season, the Border Security Grid (BSG) was strengthened in Jammu province,” police said, adding, “Two weeks back a huge consignment of arms and ammunition was also recovered from a truck in Narwal area of Jammu.”

Considering these developments, he said, a high alert had been sounded in all districts of Jammu province. “Today, at around 7:25 am, suspicious movement of a truck was observed on the highway in the Sidhra area,” police said, adding, “This truck was intercepted by a joint team of Police and the Indian Army at Sidhra Naka. During checking of the vehicle, the hiding militants fired upon the security forces and an encounter started.”

Taking “advantage”, he said, the driver of the truck fled away from the spot.

“In the encounter which followed, four (militants) were eliminated and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered,” he said, adding, “The recoveries include 7 AK-47 rifles, 1 M-4 rifle, 1 pistol, 14 Grenades around Rs 50 thousand in cash along with ammunition and pouches.”

He said the truck owner is yet to be identified. “The number plate of the truck has been found to be fake. The engine and chassis number has also been tampered and help of forensic teams will be sought in this regard,” he said, adding, “A manhunt has been launched to apprehend the driver. Search is being done at Bus stands, railway stations and market places. All Check Naka’s have been alerted.”

The scrutiny of seized items is being done to obtain clues about the identity of killed militants and the driver, he said. “Other scientific and electronic evidence is being collected to identify the (militant) group to which the (militants) belonged and to identify the Over the Ground Workers (OGW) support structure of these (militants). He said a case (FIR) has been registered in this regard and the investigation has been launched.