Key Points:
- Two terrorists killed and five security personnel injured in an intense gunfight near Jakhole village in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- The operation, involving Army, NSG, BSF, CRPF, and J&K Police, has been ongoing for four days to neutralize a group of infiltrators suspected to have entered via tunnels from Pakistan.
- Advanced surveillance tools like drones, UAVs, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs are being used to track down remaining militants.
- Officials believe the terrorists belong to the same group that escaped during an earlier encounter in Hiranagar on March 23.
Kathua: A fierce encounter between security forces and terrorists unfolded in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, Kathua district, on Thursday morning, resulting in the elimination of two terrorists and injuries to five security personnel. The operation is part of a larger anti-terror campaign aimed at neutralizing infiltrators who crossed into Indian territory through suspected tunnels or ravines along the Pakistan border.
Details of the Encounter
The gunfight erupted after security forces received intelligence inputs about terrorist activity near Jakhole village, approximately 30 kilometers from Hiranagar, where an earlier encounter took place on March 23. Special Police Officer Bharat Chalotra sustained facial injuries during the initial exchange of gunfire and was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu. His condition is reported as stable.
The encounter involved heavy firing and explosions throughout the day as reinforcements from the Army, CRPF, BSF, and Special Operations Group (SOG) were deployed to secure the area. Three security personnel, including a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), were briefly trapped near the gunfight zone but were later rescued.
Ongoing Search Operations
The operation has been underway for four days across multiple locations in Kathua district, including Sanyal village and Ding Amb. Security forces are employing advanced surveillance tools such as helicopters, drones, UAVs, and sniffer dogs to locate remaining militants. Bulletproof vehicles are being used to ensure safety during combing operations.
Officials suspect that the terrorists infiltrated Indian territory on March 22 via a newly constructed tunnel or ravine route from Pakistan. Evidence recovered from previous search operations includes:
- Loaded M4 carbine magazines
- Grenades
- Bulletproof jackets
- Materials for constructing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
Community Support
Local villagers have played a crucial role in supporting security forces during this operation. Residents provided meals to personnel stationed in outer cordon areas and shared critical information about suspicious movements. On Tuesday, a woman reported seeing two men in army fatigues asking for water before retreating into the forest.
Suspected Terrorist Group
Authorities believe the slain terrorists are part of a group of five militants who managed to escape during Sunday’s encounter in Hiranagar sector. The group is suspected to be linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), based on similarities between their gear and items recovered during past operations.
Leadership Oversight
The operation is being closely monitored by top officials, including Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhim Sen Tuti. Both have been stationed in Kathua since Sunday to oversee the multi-agency effort.
Heightened Security Along Borders
In light of fresh infiltration attempts, security has been intensified along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and border roads in Samba-Kathua sections. Vigilance has been heightened at key checkpoints to prevent further infiltration.
The ongoing Kathua operation underscores India’s relentless efforts to combat cross-border terrorism while ensuring public safety. With two terrorists neutralized and search operations continuing across forested areas, security forces remain committed to eliminating threats posed by infiltrators along sensitive border regions.
