Two Terrorists Killed in Kathua Encounter, Five Police Personnel Injured in J&K

A fresh encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Thursday resulted in the killing of two terrorists, while five police personnel sustained injuries, three of them seriously. The gunfight broke out near Jakhole village in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, marking the latest development in a four-day anti-terror operation. Security forces, including the police, army, NSG, BSF, and CRPF, have intensified efforts to track down infiltrators believed to have crossed the border on Saturday.

The encounter erupted on Thursday morning when security forces spotted the terrorists, believed to be part of the same group involved in a gunbattle in Hiranagar sector on Sunday. Officials told PTI that reinforcements were rushed to the area, and an exchange of fire was ongoing at the time of the last reports. The Sunday clash had injured a minor girl, prompting a massive search operation across the region.

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During the operation, security forces recovered significant items near the Hiranagar encounter site, including four loaded M4 carbine magazines, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, eatables, and materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The operation, now in its fourth day, involves helicopters, UAVs, drones, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs to track the terrorists.

Kathua has emerged as a major infiltration route for Pakistan-based terrorists over the past year, with increased terror activities in Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Kashmir, as noted in related web results. The operation began on Sunday after intelligence inputs about terrorists hiding in a ‘dhok’ (enclosure) in Sanyal village, leading to a fierce exchange of fire, though no casualties were reported then.

With two terrorists neutralized, security forces are continuing their search for any remaining infiltrators, focusing on routes leading to the Billawar forest. The condition of the injured police personnel remains a concern, with three in serious condition. Authorities are likely to further strengthen anti-terror measures in Kathua, given its growing significance as an infiltration hub. Updates on the operation are awaited.