Jammu, January 31: Three militants were killed and a policeman was injured as militants opened fire after the truck they were travelling in was intercepted at a toll plaza near here on Friday morning.
Police intercepted the truck at Bann toll plaza near Nagrota on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. The four militants travelling in the truck opened fire on the police party.
One militant was killed on the spot and a cop injured in the encounter. The other three militants escaped into the nearby forest, of which two more were later neutralised whereas one is still hiding in the forest. A policeman also sustained injuries during the encounter, which started at around 7 am.
Troops of central forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police were involved. Confirming the incident, CRPF sources said the area had been cordoned off and a search operation started. Truck driver Mohammed Maqbool was arrested.
As a precautionary measure, all schools in Udhampur, Tikri, Mand, Chenani and the national highway zone will remain closed on Friday. Also, classes at boys and girls degree colleges in Udhampur will remain suspended on Friday.
Jammu IG Mukesh Singh said three militants were killed. DGP Dilbagh said these militants were a newly infiltrated group and were on their way to Srinagar. “It is suspected that they infiltrated from the Hiranagar border in Kathua,” he said.
