A paramilitary soldier lost his life in action during a terrorist attack in a village in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kathua late last night. In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was eliminated.
In a separate incident, two encounters that began overnight in Jammu have extended into the morning, including one in Doda where five soldiers and a special police officer (SPO) sustained injuries during the initial shootout.
Just days prior to these incidents, a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked in Reasi, resulting in nine fatalities.
Anand Jain, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, overseeing the anti-terrorist operations in Kathua, provided details of the encounters, noting that terrorists targeted a joint party of police and Rashtriya Rifles at an army base in Chattargala area of Doda late last night.
In Kathua, two terrorists were involved in the attack, with one being neutralized. Security forces are now deploying drones to locate the second terrorist in the Hiranagar area.
The terrorists, suspected to have infiltrated, raised suspicions among villagers when they requested water from several houses and subsequently opened fire when villagers raised an alarm. ADGP Anand Jain clarified that only one civilian sustained injuries in the firing, dispelling rumors of multiple casualties.
The slain security personnel belonged to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
ADGP Anand Jain attributed the Kathua attack to “fresh infiltration,” indirectly implicating Pakistan without explicitly naming the country. He emphasized Pakistan’s role in disrupting peace in the region.
Jammu, previously considered relatively safe from terrorism, has witnessed a surge in attacks in recent days, including the assault on the bus headed to the Shiv Khori cave temple in Reasi. Officials attributed this attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Hamza.
The bus incident resulted in nine fatalities and 33 injuries, with the attackers allegedly acting on Abu Hamza’s directives.
