A fourth policeman’s body was spotted on Friday using a drone near the site of an ongoing gunfight in the remote forested area of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir. Officials reported that the clash, which began on Thursday, has already claimed the lives of three policemen and three terrorists.
The security forces, comprising the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, resumed their operations at daybreak after a night halt. The focus remains on sanitizing the Safiyan area, retrieving the bodies of the deceased, and locating any remaining terrorists.
Intense Firing and Explosions Mark Second Day of Operation
For the second consecutive day, heavy gunfire and loud explosions echoed through the dense forests. Security personnel cautiously advanced toward the targeted area, as intelligence suggested that two more terrorists were likely holed up there. The officials initially presumed these terrorists to be dead, but drone surveillance failed to confirm the sighting of their bodies.
The operation is concentrated near Jakhole village in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, where the joint security forces are moving with extreme caution. Authorities believe the terrorists recently infiltrated from across the International Border in the Hiranagar sector. However, it remains unclear whether this group is the same that earlier managed to escape a cordon in the Sanyal forest of Hiranagar.
Tragic Losses Among Security Forces
The gunfight took a tragic turn on Thursday when three suspected Pakistani terrorists belonging to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit were neutralized. In the same encounter, three policemen lost their lives, while a fourth officer was reported missing. The missing policeman’s body was discovered on Friday morning.
Adding to the casualties, five policemen, including a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of DSP rank, were reportedly trapped near the encounter site adjacent to a rivulet covered by dense foliage. The SDPO was later evacuated in an injured condition, while three of his personal security officers were found dead. Three other injured policemen were admitted to Kathua hospital, where their condition is reported to be stable. Two Army personnel also sustained injuries during the clash.
Terrorist Movement and Initial Encounter
The operation began after a group of terrorists was intercepted on Sunday evening at a ‘dhok’—a local nursery enclosure—in Sanyal village, near the International Border. Security forces, including the Army, National Security Guard (NSG), Border Security Force (BSF), CRPF, and police, launched a massive search operation using advanced surveillance equipment. Despite their efforts, the terrorists managed to evade the cordon and later surfaced near Jakhole, approximately 30 km from the initial encounter site.
During the search, authorities recovered significant evidence from the Hiranagar encounter site, including four loaded M4 carbine magazines, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, food packets, and materials for constructing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Situation Remains Tense as Operations Continue
As the gunfight rages on, security forces are determined to neutralize any remaining threats. The death of four brave policemen has cast a shadow over the operation, but officials remain resolute in their mission to safeguard the region from terrorist infiltration and violence.
