Jammu and Kashmir encounter claims lives of 2, including pakistani sniper and Lashkar-e-Taiba operative

A 24-hour-long encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district resulted in the deaths of two Pakistani terrorists, one identified as Qari, a high-ranking member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and four Indian Army soldiers. The gun battle, which occurred in the Kalakot forests, led to the tragic demise of four soldiers yesterday, with another succumbing to injuries today.

Qari, the Pakistani national, was a skilled operative in various terror tactics, including IEDs, cave operations, and sniper training. The Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Jammu highlighted his expertise, noting his training on the Pakistan-Afghan front and his significant leadership role within Lashkar-e-Taiba.

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The operation was initiated following an incident where local terrorists assaulted a Gujjar resident in Bajimal village for refusing to provide them with food. Villagers reported the incident to security forces, prompting a substantial anti-terrorist operation in the area. The heavily forested terrain allowed the terrorists to engage in intense firing, resulting in casualties among the Indian Army personnel.

Security forces cordoned off the area overnight, deploying additional troops to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Senior army commanders are overseeing the operation, emphasizing that the terrorists are surrounded and injured within the forested area.

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Initially involving two terrorists, the prolonged encounter raises suspicions about the actual number involved. The soldiers killed include three special forces commandos, underscoring the frontline leadership role officers play in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Rajouri-Poonch stretch of the Pir Panjal forest, largely terrorism-free since 2003, has witnessed a resurgence in 2021, leading to frequent encounters. The challenging terrain, dense forests, and treacherous mountains provide cover for terrorists, posing a persistent challenge for security forces.

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In the last two years, over 30 army troopers have lost their lives in the region, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Despite prolonged operations, terrorists often manage to escape, utilizing the natural camouflage offered by the dense forests, underscoring the ongoing complexities faced by security forces in the fight against terrorism.