Kathua encounter: Three terrorists, 4 policemen killed in fierce gunfight
PTC Web Desk: In a prolonged gunfight on Thursday, three terrorists and four policemen lost their lives in the dense forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. The intense encounter, led by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, saw active support from the Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Seven other policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), sustained injuries.
The Indian Army confirmed the loss of lives of police personnel on Friday morning through a social media post but did not specify the number of casualties. "#RisingStarCorps salutes the valour & indomitable spirit of the brave @JmuKmrPolice personnel who made the supreme sacrifice fighting valiantly during the ongoing OP SAFIYAN in #Kathua. Their courage and dedication will always be remembered," the Army’s Rising Star Corps posted on X.
The operation began around 8 am on Thursday following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists, suspected to be members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group. Security forces confronted approximately five terrorists near Jakhole village in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh. The ensuing firefight resulted in injuries to six policemen, including the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) leading the search party.
It remains unclear whether these militants were the same individuals who had earlier escaped a security cordon in the Sanyal forest or were part of another infiltrating group.
The gun battle, marked by heavy firing and explosions, also saw local youth assisting security forces by transporting weapons and ammunition into the rugged terrain.
By evening, the SDPO was successfully evacuated, but three of his personal security officers were found dead. Another missing policeman’s body was later spotted using drones. On Friday morning, security forces resumed their operation to retrieve the bodies of both the terrorists and the fallen police personnel.
Although two terrorists were believed to be dead, their bodies had not been retrieved overnight. The security forces planned to conduct further search operations at first light on Friday. Meanwhile, two injured policemen were hospitalised in Kathua, where their condition was reported as stable. Two Army personnel also sustained injuries and were taken to a military hospital for treatment.
To reinforce the ongoing operation, the Indian Army deployed special troops via an air-drop late in the evening, tightening the cordon around the encounter site.
The People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a known proxy outfit of JeM, claimed responsibility for the attack on security personnel.
Earlier on Sunday, a group of heavily armed terrorists had been intercepted by SOG forces in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. However, they managed to escape. It is suspected that the same group resurfaced near Jakhole, roughly 30 km from the earlier encounter site.
During a subsequent search operation on Monday, security forces discovered crucial evidence, including M4 carbine magazines, grenades, bulletproof jackets, sleeping bags, food packets, and components for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Officials believe the militants infiltrated through a ravine or a newly constructed tunnel from across the border.
- With inputs from agencies
