JAMMU, March 28: Three terrorists were killed, and three policemen died, while seven security personnel were injured in the ongoing anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, which resumed on Friday morning. The operation, which has been ongoing for six days, intensified with the first light, after terrorists were spotted in Ghati Heights of Sufiyan Jakhole village.
Officials reported that three terrorists were killed in the gunfight. However, three jawans from the special operations group (SOG) of the J&K Police lost their lives in the operation, and seven others, including Deputy SP Dheeraj Katoch and a para commando, sustained injuries. The injured personnel were rushed to hospitals in Jammu and Kathua for treatment.
The operation began after civilians reported sightings of terrorists at Sanyal village earlier in the week. It is believed that these terrorists, who had escaped from the village earlier, were trying to cross into Billawar through Ghati Heights. The terrorists were well-armed, using sophisticated weapons such as M4 Carbines. As the gunfight intensified, reinforcements, including para commandos, were deployed to the site.
The fallen policemen have been identified as Tariq Ahmad, Jaswant Singh, and Balwinder Singh, all selection grade constables from J&K Police. The terrorists, believed to be part of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group, engaged in intense fighting, utilizing grenades and heavy firepower. The gunfight led to explosions and intense firing.
Local youth reportedly assisted the security forces in transporting heavy weapons into a gorge, which became a critical part of the operation. Senior police officers continue to supervise the operation on the ground. The bodies of the three terrorists have been located and are set to be retrieved once the operation concludes. Authorities continue to believe there may be two more terrorists hiding in the area.
