During an intense encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, three police personnel lost their lives in action, while two terrorists were shot dead, sources reported on Thursday.
The operation, which has been ongoing for several days, has also left five security personnel injured, who are currently receiving treatment at a hospital. Authorities believe that three to four more terrorists remain holed up in the area, prompting continued efforts by security forces to neutralise the threat.
The encounter follows a massive search operation conducted over the past four days by a joint team comprising the 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).
Intelligence inputs and surveillance had led security forces to suspect the presence of terrorists in the region, resulting in an exchange of fire on Sunday. The situation escalated further on Tuesday when a local resident reported to the police that two men dressed in army uniforms had approached her while she was having food, asking for water.
An official, speaking to mediapersons, confirmed that contact with the militants had been re-established in the forested region of Juthana, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Rajbagh police station in Kathua.
However, the official noted that there had been no exchange of gunfire since Sunday, suggesting a strategic retreat or repositioning by the militants.
Security forces have deployed advanced resources, including helicopters, drones, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs, to track down and eliminate the remaining terrorists. Several individuals have been questioned as part of the investigation, with three suspects taken into custody for further interrogation.
Meanwhile, forces conducting search operations in the area on Tuesday recovered two grenades along with other incriminating materials, further substantiating suspicions of terrorist activity.
Reports indicate that tracksuits discovered among a large cache of ammunition and supplies in the Sanyal forests were identical to those worn by four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists who were eliminated in encounters in the Assar forests and Doda in June and August of the previous year. This finding has raised concerns over a possible link between the current group of infiltrators and previous terrorist operations in the region.
The operation, personally led by Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, commenced on Sunday evening in the Hiranagar sector.
Intelligence reports had alerted the Special Operations Group of the J&K Police about the presence of terrorists hiding inside a "dhok" (a temporary shelter) located within a nursery in Sanyal village, which lies approximately 5 kilometers from the International Border with Pakistan.
Acting swiftly, security forces launched an operation to neutralize the threat, resulting in an intense gunfight between the terrorists and security personnel. The encounter lasted for over half an hour as the hiding militants opened fire in an attempt to evade capture.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the terrorists infiltrated into Indian territory on Saturday, further reinforcing concerns over cross-border infiltration attempts. Security forces remain on high alert as efforts continue to track down the remaining militants and ensure the region's safety.
The operation underscores the persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and highlights the unwavering commitment of the armed forces in countering terrorist threats.
Also read: Kathua forest operation enters Day 3, search continues
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