JAMMU: In a major success, the Indian Army on Wednesday foiled a massive terror plot targeting the Army convoy by blowing up a bridge in Poonch, by arresting three terrorists who infiltrated into the Indian territory
A huge consignment of arms and narcotics, including an Afghanistan-made pressure cooker fitted with 10 Kg of Improvised Explosive Device (IED)—the first of its kind, were recovered from their possession.
The terrorists were arrested after an exchange of fire near the border fence when they were attempting to sneak into this side.
One of the terrorists who was injured in a brief gunfight that ensued was admitted to a hospital here, while the questioning of the other two was continuing, The Earth News learnt, even as a soldier has also received injuries.
“In a joint operation by Army along with police, likely three-four terrorists were intercepted on LoC in Poonch sector while attempting to cross the fence on the night of May 30 and 31, taking advantage of bad weather and heavy rains,” Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said in a statement.
After tracking the movement at about 1.30 am, the spokesperson said an Army ambush, on challenging them, was fired upon and in the retaliatory firefight some terrorists have been hit.
“The area is cordoned and search operation is in progress. Blood trails have been found. Three terrorists with some weapons, war-like stores including one IED and narcotics have been apprehended. One Indian Army soldier was injured in the ensuing firing and has been evacuated,” Lt Col Anand said.
The injured terrorist has been shifted to a civil hospital under police custody.
Officials said the incident took place at forward Karmara village in Gulpur sector after troops guarding the border picked up suspicious movement and challenged the persons which led to a gunfight.
The officials identified the arrested accused as Mohd Farooq (26), who received a bullet injury in his leg, Mohd Riaz (23) and Mohd Zubair (22), all residents of Karmara.
They are believed to have received the arms and narcotic consignment from across the border and were trying to smuggle it into this side when they were intercepted by the troops, the officials said.
The seizure made from the arrested persons included an AK assault rifle, two pistols, six grenades, a 10-kg IED which was planted inside a pressure cooker and 20 packets of suspected heroin worth over Rs 100 crore.
Sources informed that during the questioning the terrorists revealed that they planned to plant an IED loaded cooker at Poonch’s Gulpur Bridge to target army convoys.
“It is for the first time that an Afghanistan-made pressure cooker IED has been recovered from terrorists. Script in Urdu language with Peer Baba Manufacturer, Afghanistan has been written on the pressure cooker. The strain cooker is loaded with 10 kg of RDX,” they said.
“Such cookers are used to prepare giant quantities of meals. Considering the capability of this cooker, the terrorists positioned about 10 kg of explosive materials in it in order that their plan to trigger harm in India would succeed,” they added.
The IED was later neutralised by the experts of the bomb disposal squad, the officials said.
The search operation in the area was still going on when last reports were received, the officials said.
