‘ Security Forces defeated plot to target grassroots level democratic exercises in J&K’
New Delhi, Nov 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and others after a probe indicated that a group of militants, killed in Jammu and Kashmir a day before, were planning “something big” ahead of local elections in the union territory.
“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,” PM Modi tweeted.
The foreign secretary and top intelligence officials also attended the meeting. Sources said the investigation so far has indicated that the militants were plotting a strike on the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The four suspected JeM militants, who were hiding in a truck, were killed in a three-hour encounter with security forces on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Nagrota early Thursday morning.
Two policemen were injured during the gunfight and the driver managed to escape. The police said it is likely that the militants were “planning a big attack” and that they were headed towards the Kashmir where local elections are due later this month.
The encounter started at around 5 am after the truck in which militants were travelling was intercepted by security forces personnel near the Ban toll plaza in Nagrota, on the outskirts of Jammu city, on the highway during a routine check, officials said.
Security forces had received inputs about the movement of militants from the Samba sector towards the Nagrota toll plaza.
A large number of weapons, including 11 AK-47 rifles, three pistols and 29 grenades, were recovered from them.
In the first polls since it was split into two union territories and had its decades-old special status revoked last August, Jammu and Kashmir will hold District Development Council (DDC) elections in eight phases between November 28 and December 19, and votes will be counted on December 22. (Agencies)
Day after Nagrota attack PM chairs high level meet
