Terrorist killed ahead of Defence Minister’s visit may be involved in Dangri massacre

JAMMU, MAY 6: Barely a few hours ahead of the visit of Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande on Saturday, the security forces combing the Kesari Dhok forests, killed a terrorist believed to be part of the group that killed seven civilians and injured 14 others in twin terror attacks at Upper Dangri village near Rajouri town on January 1-2 this year. Another terrorist was believed to be injured in the early morning encounter in the Kesari hill of the forested Kandi area uring ‘Operation Trinetra’, a day after five army personnel were killed and a major-rank officer injured when ultras triggered a blast targeting a search party in Kandi forests. “In the ongoing joint operation ‘Op TRINETRA’ in Kandi Forest, Rajouri sector by Indian Army in coordination with JKP & CRPF, at approx 0700 hours, while closing in during cordon spotted the terrorists and pinned them down,’’ an army statement said. In the ensuing gunbattle one terrorist was killed and another injured. The identity of the slain terrorist is being ascertained, Army said, adding that the recoveries made from him include an AK-56 rifle along with four magazines and 56 rounds, one 9mm pistol along with magazine, three grenades and one ammunition pouch. Sources, however, said that people from Bathuni were called for identification of the slain terrorist and they identified him as part of the group that was active in the area and believed to be behind the Dhangri attack on January 1-2 this year, that left seven civilians dead and 14 others injured. The Army troops had re-established contact with terrorists at 1.15 am in densely forested area of Kesari Top Dhok in Kandi area of border Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Nagrota based White Knight Corps had on Friday said in a tweet that a joint operation “Op Trinetra” has been launched to flush out terrorists who attacked an army truck near Bhatta Durian area in Poonch district killing five soldiers on April 20. Five soldiers were killed on Friday when terrorists on being cornered by the troops triggered an IED in the forests at Kesari Top Dhok in Kandi area. An officer was injured. Multiple search parties were launched in the area on May 3 following specific inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. Meanwhile, the Northern Army Commander Lt General Upendra Dwivedi has also reached “Ground Zero” and “is reviewing the operational situation on the ongoing operations at kandi in Rajouri district where a contact was re-established with the terrorists, an army statement said. He was briefed on all aspects of the operations by ground commanders, it added.