J&K Terrorist Attack: Jawan Killed After Security Personnel Neutralized Terrorist

In the latest development in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, a paramilitary soldier was killed amid a confrontation. However, the terrorists have been neutralized. The incident occurred following a late-night attack on the village. Simultaneously, two separate encounters that commenced overnight in Jammu have extended into the morning hours. Among these engagements was one in Doda, where initial gunfire resulted in injuries to five soldiers and a special police officer (SPO).

Preceding these confrontations, just days earlier, a tragic incident unfolded when a bus ferrying pilgrims was targeted in Reasi, leading to a devastating crash that claimed the lives of nine passengers.

Anand Jain, the Additional Director General of Police overseeing anti-terror operations in Kathua, provided insights into these encounters earlier today. Regarding the Doda incident, he reported that terrorists initiated gunfire at a joint police and Rashtriya Rifles team stationed at an army base in the Chattargala area late last night. A standoff persists between security forces and the terrorists in the higher terrains, he confirmed.

#WATCH | Security Forces are conducting a search operation in the Hiranagar area of Kathua following a terror attack last night

Dr Vijay Raina, Chief Medical Officer, Kathua says, “A CRPF personnel was brought dead to the hospital last night. Our entire team of doctors are… pic.twitter.com/uf47of3vA7

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024

According to police reports, two terrorists were involved in the assault in Kathua, with one of them being eliminated. Security forces are currently employing drone technology to locate the remaining assailant in the Hiranagar area of Kathua.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Follow-up search operation underway after the terror attack in Kathua’s Hiranagar last night.

Out of two terrorists, one was neutralised last night in an encounter. Search operations to nab the other terrorists are underway. The security forces have… pic.twitter.com/uMD7CfRKWD

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024

The terrorists’ suspicious behavior, including requesting water from multiple households, aroused the villagers’ suspicions, leading to gunfire when some residents raised an alarm. Mr. Jain clarified that aside from one civilian sustaining injuries, there were no casualties in the Kathua attack, dismissing rumors of multiple deaths.

The deceased security force personnel in the encounter belonged to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). ADGP Jain categorized the Kathua attack as a “fresh infiltration,” insinuating involvement from across the border without explicitly naming Pakistan. He remarked, “It is our hostile neighbor who always endeavors to disrupt the peaceful environment within our borders. This incident in Hiranagar appears to be a recent infiltration.”

These incidents underscore the heightened state of alertness in Jammu, where attacks have occurred in areas traditionally considered secure from terrorist activities. Just prior to these events, a bus en route to the Shiv Khori cave temple was targeted in Reasi. The assailants opened fire after the bus driver refused to comply with their demands, resulting in a tragic accident as the bus veered off into a gorge. Officials have attributed this attack to directives from Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Hamza.