Officials reported that five terrorists were killed and two soldiers were injured following an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday evening, shortly after getting intelligence reports regarding the presence of suspected terrorists in Kadder within the Behibagh region of the district, security forces initiated a cordon and search operation.
However, the circumstances changed when a shootout ensued after terrorists targeted the security personnel, who fought back.
In a post on X, the Army’s Chinar Corps said, “On 19 December 24, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army & Jammu and Kashmir Police at Kader, Kulgam. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops, and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy volume of fire. Our own troops effectively retaliated.”
Earlier this month, a militant associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was slain during an encounter in the Dachigram region of Jammu and Kashmir. The terrorist, Junaid Ahmed Bhat, participated in the deliberate murders of civilians in Gagangir, Ganderbal, among other locations.
Last month, the Union Home Ministry directed a special task force from the National Security Guard (NSG), which is the nation’s counter-terrorism unit, to be deployed in Jammu due to the recent terrorist incidents in the area, sources told India Today TV.
This year, the Jammu area has seen a significant increase in terrorist attacks, affecting eight out of its ten districts. These events have resulted in the deaths of 44 individuals, comprising 18 security forces, 14 non-combatants, and 13 insurgents.
