Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir successfully neutralized three terrorists in a fierce gunfight in Baramulla district on Saturday morning, according to official sources. The encounter began late Friday in the Chak Taper Kreeri area of Pattan, North Kashmir, following a joint operation launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police.
The operation was based on specific intelligence inputs indicating the presence of terrorists in the region. While the encounter is still ongoing, it marks a significant step in the security forces' efforts to eliminate terrorism in the region.
In a separate encounter on Friday, troops from the Indian Army’s Rising Star Corps unit shot dead two terrorists in Kathua. Following these operations, large quantities of war-like stores were recovered, according to an official statement from the Army posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
These encounters are part of an ongoing effort by Indian security forces to curb terrorist activities in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir. The operations come at a crucial time, given the rising tensions and security threats in the region.
2 soldiers martyred
Earlier on Friday, a gunfight in the higher reaches of Kishtwar district resulted in the loss of two Indian Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO). The encounter took place in the Naidgham area, part of the Chhatroo belt that connects Kishtwar to south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Acting on a tip-off about terrorist activity, a joint party of Army personnel and police launched a cordon-and-search operation, which led to the gunfight.
Four Army personnel were injured in the exchange of fire, two of whom—Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar, a JCO, and Sepoy Arvind Singh—succumbed to their injuries. One soldier died from splinter injuries caused by a grenade explosion, while the other was fatally wounded by a bullet to the head. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and sacrifices made by security forces in their efforts to restore peace in the region.
Heightened Security Ahead of PM Modi's Visit
These recent operations occurred just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. The Prime Minister is set to address a major election rally, marking the first time in 42 years that a sitting prime minister has visited Doda.
Security has been tightened across the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar, particularly around the rally venue. Multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the event proceeds smoothly without any disruptions. Given the region’s history of conflict, such measures are deemed necessary to safeguard against any potential threats.
Upcoming Elections in Jammu and Kashmir
These encounters and heightened security measures also come in the lead-up to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The election is significant, as it is the first Assembly election in the region since the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, and Article 35A, which had allowed the state's legislature to define its permanent residents.
The elections will be conducted in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8. These will be the first Assembly elections held in the region in a decade, and they are seen as a critical step in restoring political normalcy following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019.
As the region prepares for these significant events, security forces continue to be vigilant in their efforts to maintain peace and thwart any attempts by terrorist groups to disrupt the democratic process. The recent encounters in Baramulla, Kathua, and Kishtwar highlight both the ongoing challenges and the determination of the Indian security forces to ensure stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
No comments:
Post a Comment