Another JeM terrorist killed, cop loses life
One of the key conspirators of the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, whose car was fabricated and later handed over to the suicide bomber, was among two terrorists gunned down by the joint team of security forces in Marhama area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday. One Army jawan sacrificed his life in the operation.
Meanwhile, two Army jawans, injured in the IED blast late on Monday evening in Arihal area of Pulwama succumbed to their injuries in the command hospital in Srinagar early on Tuesday. Late evening, unidentified terrorists lobbed a grenade outside Pulwama police station causing injuries to several pedestrians. Police said two civilians received serious injuries.
In the last five days, 10 security personnel — five CRPF men, four Army men, including a Major, and an Inspector of the J&K Police — have sacrificed their lives.
The martyred soldiers were identified as Havildar Amarjeet Kumar and Naik Ajit Kumar Sahoo. Another soldier, Rifleman Anil Kumar Jaswal, made supreme sacrifice in anti-terror operations in Marhama on Tuesday.
Confirming the identity of the two terrorists killed in the operation, J&K Police DGP Dilbagh Singh said, “Two dreaded terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad, identified as Sajjad Ahmad Bhat and Tauseef Ahmad Bhat, were eliminated during fierce gunfight in Marhama area of Anantnag on Tuesday morning.”
The DGP claimed, “Sajjad Ahmad Bhat’s car was fabricated as IED and the same was handed over to the suicide bomber before targeting the CRPF convoy in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.”
Singh said, the duo were well trained members of the JeM suicide squad.
“Two other terrorists killed in Achabal and KP road attack were also part of the same JeM group,” he added.
According to police, “Sajad Ahmad Bhat, alias Afzal Guru, had joined militancy days before the Pulwama terror attack. He hailed from village Marhama in Anantnag.
Kashmir Valley has witnessed third vehicle mounted IED attack on the security forces this year.
In first two strikes, CRPF convoys were made targets and in the third strike Army mobile patrol vehicle was attacked by terrorists to send a chilling reminder to the security forces that they may have lost top commanders in the sustained anti-terrorist operations this year but their firepower to hit back remains intact.
Soon after the Pulwama terror attack sleuths of Jaish-e-Mohammad had tracked down the owner of the car which was fabricated and converted it into IED before targeting the CRPF convoy in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.
Official sources said, before Sajjad Bhat purchased the car on February 4, 2019 it had already exchanged hands many a times.
The last person to own it was Sajjad Bhat, son of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, a resident of Bijbehara, Anantnag.
In Srinagar, Army paid befitting tribute to three of its comrades, who made the supreme sacrifice during Counter Terrorist Operations on June 17 and 18, 2019 in the Valley.
In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, paid homage to the martyrs on behalf of a proud nation.
Representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs.
Defence spokesman in Srinagar said, late Havildar Amarjeet Kumar, 35 years of age, had joined the Army in 2005 and hailed from Village Dighawlia in Siwan district of Bihar. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Late Naik Ajit Kumar Sahoo was 27 years old and hailed from Village Badasuanalo in Dhenknal District of Odisha. He had joined the Army in 2015 and is survived by his parents.
Rifleman Anil Kumar Jaswal belonged to village Saroh of Una District of Himachal Pradesh. He was 26 years of age and had joined Army in 2013. He is survived by his wife and a son. The mortal remains of the martyrs were flown for the last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours, defence spokesman said.
