Kathua Terror Attack: CRPF Jawan Killed, 2 Terrorists Neutralized in Encounter
CRPF Jawan Kabir Dass Critically Injured in Kathua District Encounter, Dies of Injuries; Two Terrorists Neutralized
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed, and two terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening. The jawan, Kabir Dass, was critically injured by terrorist gunfire around 3am in Saida Sukhal village. Officials reported that Dass was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Officials stated that the terrorist unleashed indiscriminate gunfire in an attempt to breach the security cordon in the village, situated over 60 kilometers from Jammu. The village near the International Border was targeted by terrorists on Tuesday evening, resulting in injuries to a civilian. In a subsequent search operation, one terrorist was neutralized, with another being eliminated on Wednesday as the operation persisted. It is suspected that the terrorists infiltrated from across the border.
Senior police officials, under the leadership of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), are currently present at the site of the encounter. It has been confirmed by authorities that the area has been cordoned off, and a thorough house-to-house search is underway with the assistance of the CRPF.
Addressing the operation in Kathua's Saida Sukhal village, ADGP (Jammu zone) Anand Jain explained, "Two terrorists, suspected to have recently infiltrated from across the border, were spotted in the village around 8pm, where they requested water from a household. Sensing danger, the residents immediately alerted the authorities, prompting a swift response from a police team to the village."
Jain stated that during the gunfire exchange, one of the terrorists attempted to hurl a grenade at the police team and was subsequently killed. The whereabouts of the second terrorist, believed to still be hiding within the village, remain unknown. Additionally, an assault rifle and a rucksack were recovered from the deceased terrorist, whose identity and group affiliation were still being investigated.
These two incidents occurred shortly after terrorists targeted a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra. The attack caused the bus to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge in Reasi, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives and injuries to 42 others.
