Akhnoor Terror Attack: One militant was gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor area on Monday after a group of terrorists, who had infiltrated into India, opened fire at an Army vehicle in the morning at around 7 AM. Indian Army dog Phantom lost its life in the operation after terrorists fired upon the Army convoy. The firing has stopped but the security forces are conducting a search and cordon operation in the area.
Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-II, which is also known as APC 'Sarath' (BMP-II), has been deployed as security forces conduct cordon and search operation in Akhnoor. The search is on as two other terrorists have gone into hiding after the gunfight broke out.
A group of three terrorists had fired upon an Army ambulance near Asan, Sunderbani Sector in the Battal area when the convoy was passing through the main road near Assan temple in Jogwan. Following this, an encounter started near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu district's Akhnoor. The Army personnel had a close shave as the terrorists managed to escape to a nearby forest after a strong retaliation by the troops.
"Body of one terrorist along with weapon has been recovered. Operations are under progress," Army's 16 Corps unit also known as White Knight Corps confirmed in a post on X.
The Army also paid tribute to Phantom, the Army dog that lost its life in the attack. "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. In the ongoing operation, one terrorist has been neutralized and Warlike stores have been recovered thus far," White Corps tweeted.
"For the past half an hour firing in the Battal area of Akhnoor has stopped. The terrorists seem to have shifted to the nearby forest area. The operation continues," the officials told news agency IANS.
Reinforcements were rushed to the spot and a search operation was launched to neutralise the heavily armed terrorists who managed to ambush the Army vehicle despite elaborate security arrangements in the region ahead of the Diwali festival season.
"The ambush attempt by the terrorists failed after which a cordon operation was started in the area. Firing exchanges have now started between the terrorists and the security forces. All exit points of the terrorists have been sealed. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area”, officials said earlier.
Last week, terrorists had attacked an Army vehicle on Thursday, October 24, in Gulmarg's Botapathri area, which killed two Army soldiers and two porters. Another soldier who sustained injuries in the terrorist attack later succumbed to his injuries taking the toll of people killed in the attack to five.
The attack took place as the terrorists opened fire on an Army vehicle near the famous tourist spot Gulmarg. In another incident on October 20, terrorists attacked a private infrastructure company’s workers' camp in Ganderbal district's Gagangir area. This attack was carried out by two terrorists. At least seven people, including six non-local workers and a local doctor, were killed in the attack.