Four terrorists, having links with the Kashmir-based outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahadeen, were shot dead in a police encounter in Vatva locality of the city early this morning.
Police also recovered one kg of explosive material, believed to be RDX, from their hide-out, besides literature and CDs following the encounter in which five policemen were also injured.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) P P Pande told reporters that "Prima facie it appears that the four terrorists gunned down in Vatva locality belong to Kashmir-based outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen."
"Police raided the Ganga Row House Colony after receiving intelligence input regarding suspected armed persons living in the area," Pande said.
Pande said that the primary motive of the four accused appeared to be establishing a terror network in Gujarat and targeting VVIPs and places of worship in the state.
It also appears that they were here to recruit youngsters for terrorist training, he claimed, adding that the police were investigating the contents of the "inflammatory" literature and CDs which were recovered from the house.
The official said that nearly one kilogramme of what appears to be RDX has been recovered from the room in which the four were staying for the last three months.
