J&K Police Release Sketches of 3 Terrorists Involved In Doda Attack; Announces Cash Reward Of Rs 15 Lakh

Doda in Jammu region has been rocked by several terror incidents since June, which is being seen by security agencies as an attempt by Pakistan-based terror handlers to revive terrorism in the hilly district.

Doda: Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday released sketches of three terrorists on Saturday for their alleged involvement in a recent terror incident in the Doda distric. The Jammu and Kashmir police also announced a total cash reward of Rs 15 lakh on their heads. Doda in Jammu region has been rocked by several terror incidents since June, which is being seen by security agencies as an attempt by Pakistan-based terror handlers to revive terrorism in the hilly district.

Releasing the sketches of three terrorists, a police spokesman in Doda said they are moving in the upper reaches of the district especially in Dessa forest where an army captain and three soldiers were killed in a gunfight during an anti-terror operation on July 16.

J&K Police announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh on each of these three terrorists, the spokesperson said, appealing to the general public to provide information about them and assured that the identity of the informer will be kept a secret.

Police shared over a dozen phone and mobile numbers, including that of senior police officers and control room for people to reach out.

Besides the deadly encounter in Dessa forest, at least 10 security personnel have been injured in separate terror attacks at Chattergalla pass, Gandoh, Kastigarh, Ghadi Bagwah forest between June 12 and July 18. Three terrorists were killed in a day-long operation in the Gandoh area of the district on June 26.

Over 1,700 Pilgrims Leave Jammu Base Camp For Amarnath

More than 1,700 pilgrims left a base camp here for the Amarnath shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security early on Saturday, officials said. More than 4.45 lakh pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the naturally-formed ice lingam at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine, they said.

The pilgrim footfall at the shrine is likely to surpass last year’s tally of 4.5 lakh later in the day. The 30th batch of pilgrims left Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 3:25 AM in a convoy of 63 vehicles under tight security, the officials said.

While 999 pilgrims will reach Pahalgam to undertake the pilgrimage through the traditional 48-kilometre route in Anantnag district, 772 have opted for the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The 52-day annual yatra, which commenced formally on June 29, will conclude on August 19.

(With inputs from agencies)