In a fierce encounter that unfolded in the Adigam village of Kulgam district, security forces killed two terrorists on Saturday. The operation left five security personnel, including a senior J&K Police official, injured during the exchange of fire.
Authorities reported that the encounter began after security forces, acting on intelligence inputs, launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the region, suspecting terrorist presence.
The operation involved personnel from the Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). As they cautiously approached the area to prevent civilian casualties and property damage, the security forces met with heavy gunfire from the terrorists.
A senior official said that terrorists injured four army soldiers and a senior police officer during the firefight.
The injured include Additional Superintendent of Police Kulgam, Mumtaz Ali Bhatti, and soldiers Mohan Sharma, Sohan Kumar, Yoginder, and Mohammad Isran of the Rashtriya Rifles.
Rescuers however immediately evacuated the injured to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Additionally, security forces sent reinforcements to the area and sealed all possible escape routes to prevent the terrorists from fleeing.
The identity of the slain militants is yet to be confirmed as the operation was ongoing at the time of reporting.
Authorities believe that highly trained foreign mercenaries have carried out multiple hit-and-run assaults across several districts in Jammu, including Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch, over the last few months.
These attacks have targeted security forces, local police, and civilians alike.
Over 4,000 Soldiers Deployed
To counter the escalating threat posed by these mercenaries, security forces have deployed over 4,000 personnel, including elite Para Commandos with expertise in mountain warfare, in the dense forests and hilly terrains of the region.
This tactical shift has resulted in a significant reduction in terrorist activities in these areas. Since implementing the new strategy, five militants have neutralized in various operations, officials noted.
The operation in Kulgam continues as security forces work to secure the area and identify the militants.
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