India summons Pak high commission official over Nagrota encounter, conveys strong concern

New Delhi/Nov,21: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) summoned an official of the Pakistan high commission in Delhi over the encounter on Jammu-Srinagar highway at Nagrota where four militants were killed in a gun battle with government forces on Thursday, news agency ANI reported on Saturday.
“India conveyed strong concern to Pakistan over terror attack planned by JeM in Jammu & Kashmir. Strong protest lodged demanding Pakistan stops supporting militants operating from their territory. The government of India is firm and resolute in taking all the necessary measures to safeguard national security,” ANI quoted sources as saying.
The four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants were killed in the fierce three-hour-long gun battle, which started early on Thursday at the Ban toll plaza on the highway near Nagrota town in Jammu district. Two policemen of the Special Operations Group (SOG) were injured in the exchange of fire. The gunfight began after security forces intercepted a truck carrying the militants.
Mukesh Singh, inspector general of police (Jammu zone), said later that 11 AK-47 assault rifles, three pistols, 29 live grenades, six UBGL grenades, mobile phones, compass and other ammunition were recovered from the militants. Singh added that the government forces were getting inputs about possible infiltration by Pakistani militants ahead of the upcoming local elections. Officials suspect that the militants were planning “something big” ahead of the district development council (DDC) elections in Jammu & Kashmir, which will be held from November 28 to December 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated security forces for killing the militants. “Neutralising of four militants belonging to Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed and the presence of large cache of weapons and explosives with them indicates that their efforts to wreak major havoc and destruction have once again been thwarted,” PM Modi tweeted. PM Modi also held a review meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and top intelligence establishment over the Nagrota encounter. Officials have said that the militants were planning a “major attack” on the anniversary of the 26/11 attack.