J&K: IED expert, trained sniper among 2 terrorists gunned down in Rajouri encounter

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Rajouri, Nov 23, 2023: A terrorist, said to be a trained sniper and an expert in Improvised explosive devices (IED), is among the two who have been gunned down in an encounter with security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

 

The Pakistan-based terrorist, identified as Quari, has been trained on Pak & Afghan front. He is a highly ranked terrorist leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba and has been active in Rajouri-Poonch along with his group from past one year.

He is also believed to be mastermind of Dangri & Kandi attacks. He was sent to revive terrorism in the region.

In January this year, seven civilians were killed in a terror attack in Dangri village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district in January.

He is said to be an expert in IEDs, operating and hiding from caves and is also a trained sniper.

A fresh exchange of fire took place on Thursday between terrorists and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, where four Army personnel were killed and two others were injured in an encounter. The fresh firing resumed Thursday morning after a night-long halt in Bajimaal area of Dharmsal belt, officials said.

The area was cordoned off overnight with induction of additional security forces to ensure that terrorists engaged in the encounter do not escape from the area, which is highly forested, they said.

The treacherous terrain of Reasi-Rajouri-Poonch coupled with limited road connectivity is posing a difficulty in carrying out the operation, they said.

“Isolated dhoks (huts made of mud) in villages nestled in the mountains make the civilian population, particularly women and children, vulnerable to terrorists”, an officer said.

The encounter broke out in Bajimaal area following a cordon-and-search operation on Wednesday. Two captains were among four security personnel killed in the encounter.