Army officer, four terrorists killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir

Mangalor Today News Network

Srinagar, August 14, 2024: A day before Independence Day, an Army officer and four terrorists were killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in the Assar area near the popular tourist destination of Patnitop in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

Sources said that the officer, who was leading his unit from the front, was critically injured during the intense gunfight. Despite being swiftly evacuated to a nearby military hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. A civilian also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.

The encounter, which began early in the morning, involved a heavy exchange of gunfire between security forces and a group of terrorists, believed to number four, who had infiltrated the region.

The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed that the search for the terrorists is ongoing amidst intense fighting. They also mentioned that war-like stores have been recovered during the operation. They White Knight Coprs posted on X, “One officer has been injured while leading the search party. War-like stores have been recovered as operations continue.”

Officials stated that the operation was launched on Tuesday night after specific intelligence inputs indicated the presence of militants in the Akar forest near Patnitop. Security forces have established contact with the militants, and the operation is still in progress.

Just a day earlier, Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar, the Northern Army Commander, visited forward locations of the counter-insurgency Delta Force in Doda and Kishtwar to review anti-militancy operations in the Chenab Valley region of the Union Territory.

Since June 12, Doda district’s higher reaches have seen over half a dozen terror attacks at various locations, resulting in the deaths of four soldiers, including a captain. During this period, security forces and police have also killed three foreign terrorists in joint operations within the district.