Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the security forces had defeated a “nefarious plot to target grassroots level democratic exercises in Jammu and Kashmir” by killing “four terrorists” belonging to the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad.
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The terrorists, who recently infiltrated from Pakistan, were killed in a gunfight at the Ban Toll Plaza near Nagrota on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Thursday. The four had huge quantities of ammunition and explosive materials on them. Two policemen were injured in the incident.
The Prime Minister held a detailed review of the Nagrota encounter on Friday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla and top intelligence officials were present at the meeting.
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Ministry of External Affairs officials said the government was likely to summon Pakistan High Commission officials to protest against the continued acts of terrorism against India being planned on its soil.
‘Something big planned’
A senior government official said the Pakistan-based terrorists were “planning something big on the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack ”.
In a tweet after the meeting, Mr. Modi said, “Neutralising of 4 terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed and the presence of large cache of weapons and explosives with them indicate that their efforts to wreak major havoc and destruction have once again been thwarted.”
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In another tweet, he said, “Our security forces have once again displayed utmost bravery and professionalism. Thanks to their alertness, they have defeated a nefarious plot to target grassroots-level democratic exercises in Jammu and Kashmir.”
A senior government official said that other than the huge quantity of arms and ammunition, a digital mobile radio manufactured by a Pakistani company – Micro electronics — was also recovered from the terrorists.
The messages exchanged on the device retrieved from the intruders' belongings showed that they were continuously in touch with their handlers in Pakistan, said an official. Photo by special arrangement
“The messages exchanged on the device show that the intruders were continuously in touch with their handlers in Pakistan. One of the messages on the device said ‘ Kaha phnche kia sorate hal hai koi mushkil to nahi ?’ [where have you reached? Hope you are not in any trouble?]” the official said. Shoes and medicines manufactured in Pakistan were also recovered. A smartphone Q mobile that is made in Pakistan, a wireless set and a GPS device were also found on them.
“The four terrorists crossed over from International Border in Jammu and reached a pre-designated spot on the national highway south of Samba district. They were on their way to Kashmir Valley when the truck was intercepted at the toll plaza,” the official said.
“The plan was to disrupt the DDC [District Development Council] elections. They had 11 AK-47 rifles and over 7 kg of RDX on them. The plan was to do something spectacular,” the official said, adding that the dead terrorists have not been identified. The DDC polls are to be held in the Union Territory next week.
Baseless allegation: Pakistan
Pakistan denied Mr. Modi’s statement, calling the details of the Nagrota plot “groundless allegations”. In a statement released on Friday night, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs repeated last weeks allegations against Indian intelligence agencies, with claims of a “terror dossier” against India. “It is evident that India has stepped up anti-Pakistan propaganda, following presentation of the dossier by Pakistan providing irrefutable evidence of India’s state-sponsorship of terrorism,” the MFA said.
Since August 2019, over 200 terrorists have been killed, including 30 foreigners, in various operations by security forces.