Jammu, Apr 12: Three terrorists including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commander Saifullah are believed to have been killed in an encounter with security forces at Naidgam in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district while Pakistan army is reported to have again violated ceasefire on the LoC in Keri Battal area of Akhnoor sector tonight.
While Army confirmed the killing of one terrorist during ongoing encounter at Naidgam during the day today, two more terrorists were believed to have been killed in the evening though official confirmation was awaited.
Among the slain terrorists were JeM commander Saifullah and his killing is a big achievement for security forces.
Large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered from the site of encounter.
Meanwhile, reports said, Pakistan army violated ceasefire in Keri Battal area in Akhnoor sector with a view to infiltrate terrorists.
Pakistani troops are reported to have resorted to firing prompting the Indian Army to retaliate.
An Indian Army soldier has been injured in the gun battle. Further details are, however, awaited.
Search operation at Naidgam, Chatru in Kishtwar district was launched jointly by Army, police, SOG and paramilitary forces on Wednesday after movement of a group of terrorists was observed in the upper reaches. After initial contact, the terrorists managed to escape.
However, a fresh contact with the terrorists was established this morning resulting into heavy exchange of firing in which three terrorists were eliminated by the troops.
The security agencies have expanded the scope of surveillance to the Bhaderwah area of Doda district to keep a track on terrorists potentially moving between different locations in the hilly districts of the Jammu region.
“The terrorists were effectively engaged, and a firefight ensued. One terrorist has been neutralized so far,” the Army’s White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
“Despite hostile terrain and adverse weather, our brave soldiers continue relentless operations,” it added.
DIG Doda-Ramban-Kishtwar range Sridhar Patil also told reporters that one terrorist has been killed in the operation.
Special forces braved high-snow areas and treacherous terrains to track down the terrorists, while a few others are still on the move under significant pressure from security forces, the sources said.
Security forces have intensified surveillance in the high-altitude areas of the Bhaderwah area of Doda district, considering the melting snow in the higher meadows, a major factor contributing to infiltration during summer months.
Supported by helicopters and drones, troops are maintaining a high degree of surveillance in high-altitude areas connecting Kishtwar, Udhampur, and Kathua districts, they said.
There have been five encounters in the past 19 days in the mountainous terrains of Kathua-Udhampur-Kishtwar, in which three terrorists were killed. Four police personnel were martyred, while three other police personnel and a girl sustained injuries.
Search operations resumed Friday in the Jopher-Marta forests in Udhampur district, officials said.
Equipped with sniffer dogs and aerial surveillance, multiple security agencies are combing the entire forest area to track down three terrorists hiding in the area, they added.
The areas have been placed under night cordons to prevent terrorists from escaping, the officials said.
On Wednesday, during a search operation by police and other security forces, contact was established with terrorists in the Jopher-Marta belt in the Ramnagar police station area of Udhampur, leading to an encounter. “Two to three terrorists are believed to be trapped.
While three encounters occurred in Kathua district, one took place in Udhampur district, and another in Kishtwar district.
The security was beefed up along Jammu-Srinagar national highway and people are being frisked and vehicles being checked as a part of this measure, they said.–(Daily Excelsior)
