Jammu, Oct 29 (KNO): Major General Sameer Shrivastava, General Officer Commanding, 10 Infantry Division Tuesday said that security forces used unmanned vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI) and dozens of modern technology driven gadgets in the counter-terror operation, which led to clean operation at Akhnoor. Three terrorists have been killed during the operation.
The GoC also applauded the local population's support from Akhnoor and its adjoining areas, which assisted armed forces initially in locating and zero-in terrorists, who on Monday attacked an army ambulance.
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while addressing a press conference, the GoC said that the army has done a commendable job by eliminating three hard core terrorists without any collateral damage.
“We have used unmanned vehicles, artificial intelligence that gave us a quick and successful result. We neutralized three terrorists in a clean operation, which is the most neat operation in recent times”.
He, however, quickly added that Indian Army's four-year-old sniffer dog Phantom was killed in action during counter-terror operations. According to officials, the canine sustained fatal bullet injuries while trying to protect the troops from terrorists' assault.
“We lost one Army Dog - he was ahead when we were doing search operations, and terrorists fired upon the Dog. It's due to his sacrifice, many lives could be saved” the GOC said.
He further added that besides technology, the army also used specialized armed vehicles of its armed wing.
“After this operation, such information was spreading that the Army had used BMP - we had used that kind of vehicle because the area was tough - with a gradient of 30 degrees and dense forest - we used those vehicles after locating terrorists to reach there,” the senior Army official added.
The security forces eliminated three terrorists after they had fired at an ambulance in the army's convoy in J&K's Akhnoor sector on Monday.
"When these people (terrorists) were detected, we received information from the village and hence our reaction was quick. Their purpose for which they had come wasn't fulfilled and hence they opened fire at our convoy, Major General Shrivastava said.
“The way terrorists were armed, we believe that they were here for a big purpose. Terrorist organisations had also posted that they were planning to do something big. Hence, we were prepared, and all the organisations including intelligence agencies were working in coordination,” he added. The GoC said that for the first time US made M-4 carbine was recovered from slain terrorists in Akhnoor area. “M-4 has been recovered earlier in other parts of the Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua range Shiv Kumar said that police was investigating as to whether the group had infiltrated recently or had moved to Akhnoor from other parts of Jammu.
" The school kids refused to help the terrorists and instead informed the teacher and Village Defence Guard(VDG). Soon after the area was cordoned and terrorists were cornered from all quarters, " he said(KNO)