Kathua, March 28 – A day-long gunbattle between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district resulted in the deaths of four policemen and three suspected insurgents, officials said on Friday. The encounter, which erupted early Thursday in the dense forested area of Rajbagh, also left seven policemen and two army personnel injured.
The clash began after a joint search operation by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Officials suspect the militants were members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group and had recently infiltrated the region.
“The operation is still ongoing, with two more militants believed to be trapped in the area,” a senior security official said.
Fatalities and Ongoing Operation
During the intense firefight, an SDPO-rank police officer and his team found themselves under heavy militant fire near a rivulet covered by thick foliage. Three of his personal security officers were killed, while the SDPO and two other policemen were hospitalized with injuries.
The Indian Army’s Rising Star Corps paid tribute to the slain officers, stating, “Their courage and dedication will always be remembered.” Officials confirmed that at least two militant bodies had been spotted using drones, but retrieval was postponed until daylight.
As the operation continued into the evening, elite army troops were air-dropped to tighten the security cordon. Meanwhile, a proxy group of JeM, the People’s Anti-Fascist Front, claimed responsibility for the attack on police personnel.
Heightened Security Measures
Authorities have intensified security in the region amid concerns that the militants may have been part of a larger infiltration attempt from across the border. The encounter site, near the village of Jakhole, witnessed explosions and gunfire throughout the day, with local youth seen assisting security forces in moving heavy ammunition into the gorge.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility that some militants may still be evading capture in the dense forests of the Sanyal area, where search operations continue.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
