Poonch operation: Pak militant killed, 3 security men hurt

Jammu, October 24

An arrested Pakistani terrorist was killed, while three security personnel were injured when militants opened fire on a joint search party of the Army and police in a forest in Poonch district on Sunday.

Tracking terrorists

• Jailed Pakistani terrorist Zia Mustafa was taken on police remand after probe revealed his link with hiding terrorists
• On Sunday morning, he was taken to the Bhatta Durrian forest for identification of terrorists’ hideout
• When the team approached the hideout, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on it

Heavy firing and explosions were reported from Bhatta Durrian forest of Mendhar, which, along with other nearby forest areas, is witnessing a massive search operation.

The operation, which saw nine Army personnel losing their lives in separate ambushes in Surankote and Mendhar on October 11 and 14, entered the 14th day on Sunday.

A police spokesperson said two policemen and an Army jawan, along with prisoner Zia Mustafa, a Pakistani terrorist affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), were injured in firing by terrorists in Bhatta Durrian forest this morning. "Detenue Mustafa was taken there for identification of terrorists’ hideout. When the team approached the hideout, terrorists opened fire, injuring two policemen and an Army jawan," the spokesperson said. Mustafa also sustained injuries and could not be taken out from the site due to heavy fire. "Additional reinforcements were then sent and Mustafa’s body was retrieved," the spokesperson said.

Officials said Mustafa was lodged in Kot Bhalwal jail for 14 years and was shifted to Mendhar on police remand after a probe revealed his link with hiding terrorists. — PTI