NEW DELHI: Three terrorists and three police officers lost their lives in an intense day-long battle in a secluded forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials confirmed on Thursday.
Seven others, including a deputy superintendent of police, were wounded in the clash, which unfolded during heightened operations by Jammu and Kashmir Police against recently infiltrated militants.
The clash began around 8 am during heightened operations by Jammu and Kashmir Police against recently infiltrated militants, believed to be from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group.
Officials were uncertain whether these were the same militants who had earlier escaped the Sanyal forest cordon or a different group of infiltrators.
The battle involved heavy gunfire and explosions, with local youth observed helping security forces transport heavy weaponry and ammunition into a deep gorge.
The confrontation, near Jakhole village in Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, involved approximately five militants. Initial gunfire exchanges resulted in injuries to six police officers, including the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) leading a search team.
Three militants were eliminated in the operation spearheaded by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, supported by Army and CRPF units.
Complicating matters, five police personnel, including the SDPO, were caught near the battle site, beside a rivulet hidden by thick vegetation.
The SDPO was evacuated by evening, but three of his security officers were found deceased. The status of another missing officer remained unknown.
The J&K Police remained non-committal about the officers’ deaths, indicating clarity would emerge when teams reach the location on Friday morning.
The militants’ bodies remain unretrieved as operations ceased for the night.
Operations will resume at dawn on Friday, with two more militants believed trapped and presumed dead, though their bodies remain unlocated by drones.
The SDPO and two other officers were hospitalised in Kathua, their condition described as “stable”. Two army personnel were also wounded and transferred to a military hospital.
Army special forces were airlifted to the battle site during evening hours to reinforce the cordon. Drones spotted two militant bodies, scheduled for retrieval Friday morning.
The People’s Anti-Fascist Front, a JeM proxy organisation, claimed responsibility for attacking the police team. A militant group had previously encountered SOG forces in Kathua district’s Hiranagar sector on Sunday evening.
Despite extensive searches, the militants escaped the initial cordon, possibly regrouping near Jakhole, approximately 30 kilometres from the first encounter site.
The confrontation began when police, led by an SDPO, approached the forest area following specific intelligence, resulting in heavy exchange of fire. Additional police, Army, and CRPF forces were deployed immediately.
Suffain village in Kathua district experienced continuous gunfire, grenade explosions, and rocket fire throughout the day.
Previously, militants were intercepted Sunday evening in a ‘dhok’ in Sanyal village near the Pakistan border.
A comprehensive search operation followed, involving police, Army, NSG, BSF, and CRPF, using advanced equipment including helicopters, UAVs, drones, armoured vehicles, and sniffer dogs.
Monday’s search revealed M4 carbine magazines, grenades, protective gear, sleeping bags, clothing, food supplies, and IED-making materials near Hiranagar.
Officials believe the militants crossed the border Saturday via a ravine or newly constructed tunnel.
Senior police officials Nalin Prabhat and Bhim Sen Tuti have overseen the operation from Kathua for four days.
