An Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), critically hurt in a gunfight close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor region of Jammu late Friday night, died from his injuries on Saturday.
The clash occurred in the Keri Battal region after vigilant Indian forces noticed unusual activity and apprehended a band of heavily armed terrorists attempting to enter from the border. During the subsequent gunfire, the JCO suffered severe injuries and was quickly airlifted for medical care, but unfortunately died afterward.
Shortly after the Akhnoor encounter, Pakistan breached the ceasefire agreement in another incident in the Poonch sector. At approximately 11:30 pm on April 11, Pakistani soldiers commenced unprovoked shooting at the Hathi Post. The Indian Army reacted similarly, and the exchange persisted until 12:30 am. This incident did not result in any casualties.
These developments occur while the Army persists with an intense anti-militancy campaign in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, entering its fourth straight day. On Saturday, security forces eliminated two terrorists in dangerous, snow-blanketed high-altitude terrain.
One terrorist was shot down on Friday, raising the total number of terrorists killed in the operation to three. Authorities think that additional individuals are still evading capture in the vicinity and are facing continued pressure from persistent search operations. Following Saturday’s clash, soldiers seized one AK-47 and one M4 rifle from the insurgents.
The Kishtwar operation is a component of a wider effort against terrorism in the mountainous areas of Jammu. In the last 19 days, five events have occurred in Kathua, Udhampur, and Kishtwar. These shootouts have led to the fatalities of three terrorists. Nonetheless, the operations have incurred a toll—four police officers have died, and three others along with a civilian girl sustained injuries.
