Jammu, Mar 28 (UNI) Five terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit are suspected neutralised while four police personnel attained martyrdom in a 24-hour-long operation in Rajbagh area of Kathua district.
Official sources on Friday said a fierce fire-fight between terrorists and security forces broke out on Thursday morning in the Sudoor area of Rajbagh.
“Five terrorists are believed eliminated in the ongoing operation while four policemen have attained martyrdom and five including one DySP and a para-commando suffered injuries,” they said.
The terrorists killed are associated with People’s Anti-Fascist Front, a proxy outfit of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
“Intermittent firing is continuing,” they said.
On Thursday, three police personnel who were part of the first SOG team to reach the spot were martyred in the operation while the DySP Border was injured.
On Friday, the body of a fourth policeman was sighted using a drone near the encounter site they said, adding, “this is the fourth cop to have died in the gunfight in which three terrorists are also confirmed to have been killed.”
Another SPO was injured and was admitted to the GMC Jammu while the DySP was evacuated to the GMC Kathua. One Para Commando and four cops also sustained injuries.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a post on X said, “I bow to the valorous martyrs of J&K Police, who laid down their lives for our motherland. My deepest condolences to their families. In the ongoing Kathua encounter several terrorists were neutralised. J&K Police and Security Forces are on the job. Operation in progress.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister posted on X, “Pride and grief intertwine as we remember Balwinder Singh Chib, Jaswant Singh, and Tariq Ahmed, who laid down their lives during an anti-terror operation in Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir.”
“My heartfelt condolences to their families. Their sacrifice in the line of duty will always be remembered. May the departed souls rest in peace, and heartfelt prayers for the swift recovery of those injured,” he said in a post.
The RisingStarCorps of India Army said, “Salute to the valor & indomitable spirit of the brave @JmuKmrPolice personnel who made the supreme sacrifice fighting valiantly during the ongoing OP SAFIYAN in #Kathua. Their courage and dedication will always be remembered.”
Army earlier said, “based on Intelligence Inputs, a Joint Search Operation was launched on March 27 by troops of #RisingStarCorps & @JmuKmrPolice near Safiyan village #Kathua.”
“Terrorists fired indiscriminately on own troops and heavy fire-fight ensued. Operation under progress,” Army said on X.
On March 23, a brief encounter broke out between terrorists and a joint team of army, police and paramilitary forces in Sanyal village of Hiranagar in district Kathua but the terrorists managed to give a slip to the security forces taking advantage of dense forest area.
Official sources said that an encounter started on Thursday morning between terrorists and security forces in Juthana area of Rajbagh when the hiding terrorists fired on the search party.
“It cannot be confirmed immediately whether a group of terrorists engaged in Rajbagh area is the same that was intercepted in village Sanyal of Hiranagar,” they said.
However, the dog squad, helicopters and drones are also being used in the anti-terrorist operation.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat along with senior officers is supervising the operation.

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