9 to 12 militants active in Poonch-Rajouri range: J&K police chief Dilbag Singh

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police Dilbag Singh on Friday said that six suspects have been detained and over 200 questioned in connection with the recent militant attack in which five army personnel were killed in Poonch district of Jammu.

Singh claimed that 9 to 12 militants are active in the Poonch-Rajouri range who move in two to three groups and keep changing their hideouts. He said that three to five militants had executed the attack on April 20 this year.

"Six people who were providing logistical support to terrorists have been arrested and around 200 have been questioned in connection with the attack," said Singh while talking to reporters in Rajouri.


The J&K police chief said that April 20 attack in which five armymen were killed and one injured was not possible without the local support.

"We have busted a module which provided support and shelter to them for the last two to three months. Nisar and his family provided food and shelter to them. He is active since 1990's when he was working as over ground worker for a commander of Lashkar. He was always under radar and has been questioned earlier as well," said Singh. The police chief alleged that Nisar and his family also picked arms and ammunition for the militants that was dropped by the drones from across the border.

"Arms, ammunition, cash and even food is sent through drones from Pakistan and thus agencies of Pakistan are involved in this attack as well. Involvement of LeT has emerged in this attack but two to three handlers sitting across the border were also involved in earlier attacks," said Singh.

The police informed that the militants chose the place which is close to forest so that they can slide into their natural hideouts. "We are finding the exact location of where drones dropped cash and weapons," said Singh. He further said they there could be involvement of some more people in the area and the forces will deal with this support network very harshly.

About the attack Singh said that the militants had come prepared and conducted a detailed recconisance of the area where they ambushed the army vehicle.

"The spot where the place he ambush was a downslope with the curve where the speed of the vehicle lowers to almost near zero...First they opened fire during which the forces personnel were injured and then they placed an IED on the vehicle," said Singh. The police chief informed that the militants had a strong network on ground which informed them about the movement of the army vehicle from one point to another.

"They had come prepared and carried out the operation in heavy rains...ammunition used in this attack is often used in Kashmir. This type of ammunition had been used in Dhangri incident as well," said Singh.