Five Terrorists and Four Policemen Killed in Kathua, J&K

Jammu, March 28 (NationPress) The remains of the fourth police personnel were discovered near the location of the gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Friday as the anti-terror operation persisted in the region.

Authorities reported that the body of the fourth officer was spotted using a drone near the encounter site today, bringing the total number of J&K police personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in this operation to four.

During this ongoing operation, five terrorists have been eliminated, according to officials.

Seven security personnel, which include a Deputy SP, five policemen, and a para commando from the army, sustained injuries in this operation.

The Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, along with Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, have paid their respects to the police officers who lost their lives in service to the nation.

Officials confirmed that five terrorists have been neutralized while five members of the special operations group (SOG) of the J&K police were martyred during the anti-terror operation at Ghati Heights in Sufiyan Jakhole village of Kathua district.

The injured personnel have been transported to hospitals in Jammu city, and the Deputy SP is receiving treatment at the government medical college (GMC) hospital in Kathua.

The operation against the terrorists commenced at dawn today.

Given the number of terrorists sighted in Sanyal village on Sunday and the confirmation of five terrorists killed in Ghati Heights of Safiyan Jakhole village, it is evident that this is the same group that previously escaped from Sanyal village and was attempting to cross into Billawar in Kathua district.

According to official sources, civilians reported the movement of terrorists in Safiyan Jakhole Ghati heights at 7 a.m. on Thursday, prompting police to act.

“Local police teams and the SOG, led by SDPO Border, Dheeraj Katoch, rushed to the scene and engaged in combat with the well-equipped terrorists, who were armed with sophisticated weapons like M4 Carbines. Subsequently, army personnel, including para commandos, were air-dropped, and reinforcements of police and paramilitary forces arrived to assist in the operation.

“Three SOG personnel who were part of the initial team to arrive were martyred during the operation, while the Deputy SP Border was injured. One para commando and six policemen, including the Deputy SP, also sustained injuries,” an official said.

The official further stated: “By last evening, three terrorists had been neutralized. Their bodies remain on a hill and will be retrieved after the operation concludes. The body of one terrorist has been burned. All are believed to be Pakistani nationals.”

“The fallen police heroes have been identified as Tariq Ahmad, Jaswant Singh, and Balwinder Singh, all selection grade constables of the J&K police. The terrorists are believed to be affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit and appear to be well-trained.”

It has been reported that the gunfight involved intense firing and explosions, with the army utilizing rocket launchers to eliminate the terrorists, who retaliated heavily with M4 Carbines and other advanced weaponry, in addition to using grenades.

Local youth were observed assisting the security forces in transporting heavy weapons and ammunition deep into a gorge.

“Senior police officials are on-site overseeing the operation. Special army para commandos were air-dropped on Thursday evening to further strengthen the cordon around the area. “Drones have spotted the bodies of five terrorists, which will be retrieved on Friday morning,” official sources reported.