Four terrorists were killed in a gunfight after security forces stopped a truck on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday morning, PTI reported, citing the police.
The gunfight took place around 7.30 am near the Tawi Bridge in the Sidhra bypass area along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
“There was suspicious movement of a truck in the area,” Jammu Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Singh said, according to NDTV. “Police stopped the truck at check post. As security forces started searching the truck, terrorist hiding inside fired at security forces. All the terrorists were killed in retaliatory fire.”
Unidentified officials told PTI that the firing between the two sides lasted for more than 45 minutes. During this time several explosions were heard, apparently because grenades were hurled.
As the gunfight was underway, the truck in which the alleged terrorists were travelling caught fire and fire tenders were called in to douse the blaze, the police said.
The police added that the driver of the truck managed to flee and a search operation has been launched to take him into custody.
“Seven AK assault rifles, one M4 rifle, three pistols and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists,” Singh told reporters at the scene.
The gunfight took place a day after police defused a 15 kilogram improvised explosive device in Udhampur city near Jammu, NDTV reported. On Tuesday, officials said that seven cartridges and five detonators were also recovered.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!