Jammu: A day after ‘four militants’ were killed in a ‘chance’ encounter (military operation) at Sidhra area of Jammu, the intelligence agencies have expressed concern over the burnt truck, which they termed as ‘destruction of evidence’, stating that damaged truck may become a hurdle in the ongoing investigation especially for establishing the identity of the four slain militants.
Meanwhile, police have launched massive search operations in several areas, including at the general bus stand and railway station, to track down the missing truck driver, who managed to flee from the spot amid a gunfight between forces and militants.
Pleading anonymity, a senior officer from the intelligence agency said that the truck used for the transportation of militants was the main evidence from which the investigation could have proceeded further.
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“The vehicle loaded with militants caught fire in the initial exchange and almost turned to ashes within no time despite the best effort to douse the fire and save the evidence,” he said.
“Whenever the militants infiltrate for some assignment, they carry food packets (with marking), maps, papers-plans, coded sheets and I –Day cards, which are used to establish their identity and links with terror outfits.”
“In this case, everything turned to ashes, the entire crime spot was burnt and later earth mover pressed in and demolished the remaining traces, which definitely would create hurdles in the investigation and establishing the identity of four killed militants.”
Earlier, after the encounter, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh said “identity of the terrorist was not established yet.”
“The number plate of the truck was fake and the engine and chassis number have also been tampered with and the help of forensic teams,” he added.
Moreover, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Crisis Response Team (CTR) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a massive search near the encounter site and forest areas to nab the only witness -the driver -who managed to flee from the spot.
“Forces cordoned Bajalta Forest, Mohmaya Forest, and were heading towards Nagotra and carried out a thorough search operation,” the official said, adding the operation is still underway and further details are awaited.
“Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the entire route was also sought and station house officers were directed to minutely observe the footage and keep watch on suspicious activities.”
“Other scientific and electronic evidence is being collected to identify the terror group behind the transportation of the terrorists and to identify the Over Ground Workers (OGW) support structure of the terrorists (in Jammu region),” he said.
Pertinently, As per police; given the Republic Day – the security and border grid has already tightened a truck was seen roaming during odd hours on the national highway the vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint, the driver immediately fled and militants –present inside the vehicle- started firing upon the forces and triggered an encounter.
“A huge cache of arms and ammunition including seven AK-47 rifles, one M4 rifle, three pistols, 14 grenades,s and around 50,000 were recovered from the possession of the slain.”
(KNO)
