Sending a chilling reminder to the security forces readying their foolproof strategy to ensure incident-free Amarnath pilgrimage starting from July 2, a heavily armed militant carrying AK-47 rifle Monday targeted paramilitary forces at the security check point while travelling in a State Road Transport Bus service near famous hill resort of Kud in Udhampur, 100 kms from Jammu district, on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
One woman passenger was killed while two others — including a minor, injured. At least three CRPF jawans also received minor injuries in the bloody shootout, in which the lone militant was neutralised by the joint team of CRPF and the State police inside the bus.
This is for the first time a State road transport bus service was used by the militants before targeting security forces along the vulnerable highway. The incident has also exposed the loop holes in the security grid ahead of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage.
It was not clear whether the militant was directed to strike the CRPF camp in Kud or he was supposed to target the Army installation in Udhampur, headquarters of Northern command.
Following the surprise militant strike, second in the last one-year along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the normal flow of traffic was halted leading to long traffic jam at various places. large number of tourists and Mata Vaishno Devi bound pilgrims remained stranded along the highway following massive jam.
Security check points were raised immediately at various other places along the highway to carry out thorough checking of vehicles.
Two Pak-based militants had earlier targeted BSF convoy on August 4, 2015 near Samroli in Udhampur district. One of the militants Mohd Naved was caught live by the local villagers with the help of security forces.
Meanwhile, security was beefed up in the garrison town of Udhampur and across vital installations of Northern command headquarters following the fresh militant strike, which comes close on the heels of series of strikes on security forces in Kashmir valley in the recent days.
According to official sources, State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) bus bearing registration number JK02Y 0444 was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu when it was signalled by the security forces for a routine checking near Kral nalla along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Kud area between 4.15 and 4.30 pm. As the jawans of the paramilitary forces approached the bus a militant travelling in the bus opened fire on the jawans. In the ensuing exchange of fire security forces neutralised one militant,dressed in Kurta and pants.
One woman passenger, possibly caught in the cross fire also succumbed to her injuries while two others were shifted to the nearby hospital. Inspector General of Police Jammu range Danesh Rana said, “The joint team had eliminated one militant inside the bus while thorough search operations were carried out in the nearby areas to rule out the possibility of presence of another militant. According to preliminary reports police team had recovered an identity card of Tanvir Sultan, hailing from Bemina in Srinagar, from the pocket of a militant along with AK 47 rifle, a pistol and few rounds.