An Indian Army soldier from the elite Special Forces lost his life, and three others were injured during an encounter with militants in the remote Keshwan forest area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation, which involved joint teams from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, was launched after reports indicated militant activity in the dense forest region.
The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the death of Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (Special Forces), who was leading the operation in Kishtwar’s Bhart Ridge area when a firefight with militants broke out. The Corps, in a statement, paid tribute to his sacrifice: “GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (SF). We stand in solidarity with his family during this hour of grief.”
The skirmish resulted in injuries to three other commandos from the same unit, who are currently receiving medical treatment. The confrontation erupted as the Army and police units were conducting a thorough search of the Keshwan forest, where earlier, the bodies of two Village Defence Guards, Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, were discovered. Officials believe the recent surge in militant activity in the area may be linked to this incident.
This encounter marks the third significant anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir within the past 24 hours. On the same day, security forces exchanged fire with militants in Srinagar’s Zabarwan forest, following intelligence reports suggesting terrorist presence in the area. Kashmir Zone Police confirmed that the joint operation involved both police and security forces, leading to an intense gunfight.
A day prior, another encounter took place in Rajpura, Sopore, in Baramulla district. Security forces reportedly neutralized a militant during the operation, launched in response to suspicious activity observed in the area. The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the militant’s death in a statement.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
