soldier-killed-in-kishtwar-encounter

One Special Forces soldier was killed during ongoing counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said on Monday. 

 

Army officials confirmed that Havildar Gajendra Singh laid down his life during Operation TRASHI-I on Sunday night.  The Jammu-based White Knight Corps stated that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and all ranks paid tribute to the soldier’s courage and sacrifice.

 

An Army statement said that Havildar Gajendra Singh displayed exceptional valour and selfless devotion to duty during the operation. “The White Knight Corps stands firmly with the bereaved family in this hour of profound grief,” it said.

 

Earlier, an Army statement had confirmed that eight soldiers suffered injuries during an intense firefight with terrorists in Sonnar village of Chatroo area of Kishtwar. According to officials, three of the eight injured personnel were airlifted to the military hospital in Udhampur.

 

Sources said on Monday that the Army had specific intelligence about the presence of two to three foreign terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in the Sonnar area. In a post on X, the Army’s White Knight Corps stated that security forces had established contact with terrorists in Sonnar during a routine search operation as part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

 

Meanwhile, drones, sniffer dogs and Army helicopters have been deployed to assist in the ongoing counter-terror operation, which entered its second day on Monday.

 

As per the latest intelligence inputs, two-three terrorists suspected to be associated with JeM are believed to be hiding in the area, although no fresh contact has been established. The operation is underway, and further details are awaited.

 

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