Kathua encounter update: 3 Pakistani terrorists killed, 3 J&K cops martyred in fierce gunfight

Security personnel at the site of Kathua encounter (PTI)

Three suspected Pakistani terrorists were killed in a day-long gunbattle in the remote and forested region of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Thursday. Three cops of the J&K Police also lost their lives in the encounter.

The slain policemen include a head constable and two constables. The bodies were yet to be evacuated from the site as the operation continues, TOI reported quoting sources.

Seven other police officials, including a deputy superintendent of police, were injured in the encounter that was led by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and assisted by the Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), officials said.

The encounter began around 8 am on Thursday during an intensified operation led by Jammu and Kashmir Police against a group of militants, believed to be members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) organisation, who had recently infiltrated the area. The area was rocked by grenades and rocket fire, with multiple explosions occurring throughout the day.

The encounter, which took place near Jakhole village in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, involved around five terrorists. The initial exchange of gunfire left six policemen injured, including the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) who was leading a search operation.

The attackers are believed to be of the same group that escaped after a brief gunfight on Sunday evening near Sanyal village in the Hiranagar sector, close to the Pakistan border.

Last Sunday evening, the group of terrorists were intercepted by the SOG in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. Last Sunday evening, a group of terrorists were intercepted by the SOG in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. Despite a massive search operation, the terrorists managed to escape the initial cordon.

Security forces had cornered the terrorists in a remote mountain hut—one of many built by nomadic herders in the area. However, the militants managed to slip away, leading to a manhunt across the region.

The search, now in its fifth day, has involved the Army, NSG, BSF, CRPF, and J&K police, who have deployed advanced surveillance tools, bulletproof vehicles, UAVs, drones, and sniffer dogs.

On Monday, search teams recovered four loaded magazines for an M4 carbine, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, and materials for making IEDs. A significant lead came the following day when a woman in Dinga Amb village reported seeing two men in combat gear asking for water.

Police believe the terrorists infiltrated on Saturday, possibly via a ravine route or a newly constructed tunnel from across the border.