Following the killing of a Pakistani terrorist on Friday morning, security personnel killed two more in the Naidgam forests of Chatroo in Kishtwar district, officials stated.
Terrorists Identified, Each With ₹5 Lakh Bounty
The slain terrorists were Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah, Farman, and Basha, Each carried a reward of ₹5 lakh on their heads.
“Security forces launched an operation in the area on April 9. We first gunned down one terrorist in the morning, and then eliminated two others later on Friday,” said a senior police officer.
Commandos of the elite 2, 5, and 9 Para of the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police’s SOG participated in the operation.
Snow-Covered Terrain and Aerial Support
The anti-terror operations were carried out in the snow-clad mountains with thick forest cover, “The Army deployed helicopters to trace the fleeing terrorists,” said the officer.
A huge cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was seized from the site of the encounter.
Commander of the 5 Sector Assam Rifles Brigadier JVS Rathi and DIG Shridhar Patil of Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range will brief the media on the whole operation at the headquarters of the 5 Assam Rifles on Saturday.
Simultaneous Anti-Terror Operations in Jammu Region
Security forces have also simultaneously conducted anti-terror operations in Kishtwar and Udhampur districts to hunt down terrorists, who are suspected to be part of a bigger group that had infiltrated through the international border along the Hiranagar sector in Kathua district in recent times.
During continuing anti-terror operations, three armed terrorists, suspected to be from the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group, stormed into a villager’s residence in Basantgarh, Udhampur district, late Wednesday.
The terrorists consumed food, stole a mobile phone, clothes, shoes, a bag, and an umbrella before they left.
Similar Incident involving Terrorists in Udhampur on April 3
Earlier, on April 3, two terrorists had entered a home in Udhampur’s Chore Panjwa-Khabbal locality of Majalta block, taken the family hostage, and stolen a mobile phone and food forcibly before escaping at about 10 PM.
This is the same region where security forces had spotted terrorists on April 3, the terrorists were initially seen in a forest in Hiranagar sector’s Saniyal village on March 23.
March 27 Firefight Leaves Six Dead
Security personnel and the police have been following the activities of the terrorists ever since, two terrorists and four police officials died during a firefight on March 27 inside Sufain forest, Jakhole village, Kathua district.
However, the ceasefire was also flouted by Pakistan Army troops at the Line of Control in Keri Battal sector in Akhnoor in a bid to thrust weapons-bearing terrorists over the border, tense soldiers foiled the move.
Indian JCO Killed in Cross-Border Fire
In the heavy exchange of fire, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was severely injured. He was airlifted to a garrison hospital, where he died of his injuries.
“At approximately 2115 hours (9:15 PM), the Pakistani Army opened fire using small arms towards an Indian forward post in the Keri-Battal sector under Police Station Khour, Akhnoor, Jammu & Kashmir.
In response, the Indian Army retaliated by firing small arms in the direction of the aggression,” said officials.
During the exchange, JCO Kuldeep Singh suffered a bullet injury and then died from his injuries, the Army will likely issue a statement soon.
