Kathua encounter: 3 terrorists killed, three security personnel martyred

28/03/2025

JAMMU, Mar 27: Three terrorists were killed while an equal number of security forces personnel too lost their lives in an ongoing encounter in Sufain forest area of Juthana in Kathua district on Thursday.
Meanwhile, four security personnel including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and one para commando sustained injuries.
SDPO Border Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Dheeraj Katoch, who had sustained minor injuries, was doing fine yet other three security personnel were under treatment for critical injuries.
The security personnel killed in the operation included SPOs of DySP Katoch. They were identified as SgCT Tariq Ahmed, son of Kabir Hussain, resident of Reasi; SgCT Jaswant Singh, son of Angrez Singh, resident of Londi, Hiranagar and SgCT Balwinder Singh, son of Prem Singh, resident of Kanna Chak, Kathua.
The fresh encounter, officials said, began after the security forces, engaged in intensive search operation, re-established contact with a group of terrorists this morning in Sufain forest stretch of Juthana area under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh Police Station of Kathua district.
“Three security personnel laid down their lives in the operation while three other security personnel, Constable Bharat Chalotra, SPO Happy Sharma and Gurjinder Singh Naik 1 Para SF, sustained serious injuries during the operation. They were immediately evacuated to the hospital where they were undergoing treatment. Chalotra was referred to GMC Jammu, Happy was under treatment at GMC Kathua while Gurjinder Singh was being airlifted,” a senior Police Officer, though wishing anonymity, told Greater Kashmir.
Confirming the killing of three terrorists also in the intensive gunfire, the officer said, “In the ongoing operation, security forces have also managed to neutralise three terrorists. Their bodies have yet to be retrieved as the operation is still going on.”
“SDPO Dheeraj Kotwal also sustained minor injuries in the operation. Yet he is fine after treatment for his injuries,” he added.
PRO Defence Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, when contacted by Greater Kashmir for the latest update, however, only said, “Operation is still in progress. Details will be shared later on.”
Contact with the terrorists was re-established in the Juthana area after the input about their (terrorists’) presence on Thursday morning. Heavy reinforcement was rushed to the area.
During the search operation, the security personnel came under heavy fire from the hiding terrorists thus ensuing operation.
DGP Nalin Prabhat, assisted by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, CRPF IG besides other senior officers of Police and Army, was monitoring the operation.
Present encounter site is around 30 kms away from the forest area around Sanyal village along the International Border (IB) where a group of five terrorists was first sighted on March 23 evening by a village couple.
During the Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched thereafter, the security forces and terrorists had exchanged heavy gunfire briefly in Sanyal village on Sunday (March 23) evening. However, the terrorists managed to escape, breaking the cordon.
Since then, a multi-layer combing operation had been going on, in and around the area.

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