But on the ground, militants won’t quit: 3 killed near Jammu

One of the militants was believed to be still in the forest where they had sought refuge after firing on the vehicle of IAS official K B Pillai, Director General of the Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA). Pillai, his PSO and driver were injured in the shootout.A dog squad policeman and an Army jawan were killed in the exchange of fire later.

The body of a militant was also lying in the forest but securitymen had not shifted it because he may have strapped explosives.

Preliminary reports said two militants, with plans to attack a ‘‘high profile target’’, covered almost a distance of 30 km, on foot and in vehicles without being stopped at any of the police nakas enroute.

They were noticed only after they attacked Pillai’s car and a police Gypsy.

On hearing the gunfire, security personnel rushed to the spot and an exchange of fire broke out. According to IGP P L Gupta, four Armymen and two policemen were injured.

The militants planned to attack Jammu railway station but an auto-driver, showing great presence of mind, took them to a deserted area on the outskirts of the city.

Sources said that the militants, after crossing the international border, reached Pouni and snatched a scooter from an RTC employee Ram Lal and fired some shots in the air.

They drove towards Gole Gujral where they collided with a three-wheeler being used as a load carrier.

They told driver Joginder Singh to take them to the hospital. Fearing a shooting spree once in the hospital, Joginder ‘‘advised’’ them not to go near the hospital because it was heavily guarded.

He kept driving, going past several police police nakas without being stopped.

The militants then told Joginder to drive them to the Jammu railway station.

Enroute, they made him stop at the bye-pass because they wanted to change clothes.

When they emerged from the bushes, Joginder was gone. But Pillai’s car came into view and they opened fire.

They then attacked a police Gypsy carrying DSP (Hqs) Mehmood Choudhary. Soon after, they disappeared into the Mahamaya forest. Security personnel came in shortly thereafter.