Encounter update: CRPF Jawan Succumbs, One Militant Killed, Ops Ongoing
Jammu, June 12: A CRPF jawan was killed in action, while a terrorist was injured after a group of terrorists infiltrated and barged into a residential house in Jammu’s Kathua district on the evening of June 11.
The encounter took place in the village of Saida Sukhal near Koota Morh of Police Station Hira Nagar. Armed terrorists entered a residential house, leading to an exchange of fire. According to officials, fresh firing was reported at 3 am, resulting in the injury and subsequent death of a CRPF Constable, who succumbed to his injuries at the Sub-District Hospital Hiranagar.
Additional Director General of Police Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, informed reporters at Hiranagar that two terrorists were spotted in the village Saida Sukhal near Koota Morh in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district. One of the terrorists attempted to lob a grenade but was killed in the exchange of fire, while the second terrorist managed to hide in the area. Jain emphasized that this was a fresh infiltration attempt by Pakistan to disrupt the peace in the region.
In a related incident, Jain mentioned the Chattargalla encounter where a joint naka of 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police came under fire from terrorists. The security personnel retaliated, but details are scarce due to the remoteness of the area. Unconfirmed reports suggest one or two security personnel sustained injuries.
Earlier that evening, at around 7:45 pm, two terrorists were spotted in Saida Sukhal, near the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway. The Army, police, SOG, and CRPF have enforced a massive cordon in the Hiranagar belt to prevent the remaining terrorist from escaping under the cover of darkness.
Eyewitnesses reported that the terrorists appeared in Saida Sukhal and sought water and food from a local house. When the occupants refused and fled, the terrorists pursued them but were unable to secure assistance. Police, tipped off about the terrorists’ presence, confronted them, leading to the death of one terrorist who attempted to throw a grenade at civilians and the police.
The police are now clearing houses in the village to ensure the second terrorist is apprehended. One family has been evacuated, with the husband, Omkar Nath, sustaining arm injuries and being in stable condition. An AK rifle and a rucksack were recovered from the slain terrorist.
Villagers of Saida Sukhal have been praised for their bravery in facing the terrorists until security forces arrived. They prevented the terrorists, believed to be Pakistanis, from escaping. Security forces have maintained a strong presence in the village to ensure the remaining terrorist is captured.
The villagers have also demanded an investigation into the killing of a civilian in the nearby village of Mela, suspecting it might be linked to the terrorists. The operation continues as security forces comb through the area.
