Search ops on after attack near tunnel

SSB jawan killed, ASI hurt

The security forces on Thursday launched a search operation in Banihal hills of Jammu region for three youth allegedly involved in Wednesday night’s attack on the members of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) near Jawahar Tunnel along the Srinagar-Jammu highway.

One SSB jawan was killed and an ASI wounded in the sneak attack during which the assailants also snatched one INSAS rifle and another assault rifle. The J&K police, in a statement, said that during the preliminary investigation, “It has come to fore that the terrorists have used a pistol as cartridges cases of fired ammunition have been found”. It also said that two mobile phones were found in a bag lying near the site of incident.

The police further said, “During investigation, it has come out that three youth of a madarasa are also missing. The police has lodged an FIR and further investigation is on”.

The officials said that they suspect that three youth from Banihal’s Kaskoot and Ashar villages who are missing since Wednesday afternoon carried out the attack. “It is believed that the youth have after carrying out the attack fled towards the surrounding hills and a search operation is underway to capture them,” said a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The SSB officials said that during the attack carried out at around 7.15 pm, the gunmen targeted the force party returning from security duty at the vital Jawahar tunnel. Initial reports had termed the incident as “mysterious” while as the police had said that it could be a case of “fratricide”.