Officials say a junior army commission officer and an unidentified insurgent were killed in a deadly gunfight in Rajouri district on Thursday.
Officials claimed the police and army had initiated a search operation in the Thanamandi belt after receiving information about the presence of militants there.
Lt Col Devender Anand, Defence Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO), Jammu, said in a statement that the Indian Army and JKP conducted a joint cordon and search operation in hamlet Danna, Thanamandi, based on specific input.
“During the search operation, the search party led by Junior Commissioned Officer Subedar Ram Singh was fired upon by (militants) from a nearby densely forested area,” he said, adding, “The Junior Commissioned Officer immediately retaliated the fire and in the ensuing fire fight, one (militant) was neutralised while Subedar Ram Singh was shot.”
According to him, the JCO received quick first aid and was evacuated to the nearest hospital. However, he died as a result of his injuries, according to the statement.
Singh (46) was from Village-Salana, Post Office-Bajwar, District-Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkhand, according to him. “His wife, son, and daughter survive him. Subedar Ram Singh was a courageous and determined soldier.”
After the militants opened fire on the forces who replied, the search operation degenerated into an encounter, he claimed.
According to sources, the operation is still ongoing, according to SSP Rajouri Sheema Nabi Qasba.
This is the second gunfight in August between militants and security officers.
Two LeT militants were killed in a clash with a joint police and army squad in the Thanamandi belt on August 6 this year.
The Chenab Times News Desk