In a tragic development, three police personnel lost their lives in a fierce encounter with heavily armed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, according to official sources on Thursday. The intense gunfight, which erupted deep inside the forested region, also resulted in the elimination of three terrorists. However, authorities believe that three to four more terrorists remain holed up in the area, making the operation ongoing and highly sensitive.
During the fierce exchange of gunfire, five security personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, sustained injuries. The injured personnel were swiftly evacuated from the combat zone and are currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Medical professionals are closely monitoring their condition, and every effort is being made to ensure their swift recovery.
Security forces, including personnel from multiple agencies, have been actively conducting search operations in the Kathua region over the past five days. Teams from the Indian Army, the National Security Guard (NSG), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out this large-scale security sweep. Their coordinated efforts aimed to track down and neutralize the terrorist group that had infiltrated the region.
Authorities reported that an initial exchange of gunfire had taken place on Sunday when security forces encountered the terrorists in the dense Sanyal forests. However, the militants managed to escape during the confrontation. A resident later provided crucial intelligence to the police on Tuesday, informing them that two individuals dressed in army uniforms had approached her for water while she was eating in the area. This led to further investigations and intensified search efforts.
The police suffered significant casualties on Thursday when their personnel advanced deep into the rugged forest terrain and engaged the terrorists in close-quarters combat. The heavily armed militants, equipped with advanced weaponry, fought back fiercely. In the ensuing gun battle, three terrorists were neutralized. However, before they were eliminated, the terrorists inflicted heavy losses on the police forces, killing four officers in action and injuring five others.
Due to the difficult terrain and the potential presence of additional terrorists in the vicinity, security forces have not yet been able to retrieve the bodies of the fallen officers. Officials confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure the safe recovery of their remains while minimizing further risks to personnel engaged in the ongoing operation.
The Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Nalin Prabhat, is personally leading this major counterterrorism operation in Kathua. Providing updates on the operation, he confirmed that at least two terrorists had been killed and expressed confidence that the remaining militants would also be neutralized soon.
Reports indicate that the group of terrorists had initially been trapped in the Sanyal forests on Sunday. After a prolonged gun battle with the security forces, they managed to escape and reached the Juthana region, approximately 20 kilometers away. At the original encounter site, security personnel recovered magazines of US-made M4 rifles, suggesting that the militants were well-equipped with modern and sophisticated weaponry.
By Thursday morning, security forces had successfully cornered the terrorists again in the dense Juthana forests, triggering a fresh and intense firefight. The operation was supported by aerial surveillance using helicopters and drones, while ground troops advanced with the aid of bulletproof vehicles and sniffer dogs. In the days leading up to the final confrontation, security agencies had detained and questioned several individuals. Three suspects were picked up for further interrogation as part of the ongoing investigation.
On Tuesday, security forces made significant recoveries, including two grenades and other materials believed to have been used by the terrorists. Additionally, among the large cache of ammunition and supplies discovered in the Sanyal forests, security personnel found tracksuits that closely resembled those worn by four Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists who had been killed in separate operations in the Assar forests and Doda in June and August of the previous year. This discovery points to possible links between the current group of terrorists and previous infiltrators operating under the JeM umbrella.
The counterterrorism operation remains active as security forces work tirelessly to eliminate the remaining terrorists hiding in the area. Authorities have reinforced security measures and are employing all available resources to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further attacks. The sacrifice of the fallen police personnel stands as a testament to their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation.