JK: Encounter Underway In JK’s Anantnag, Army & Police Officers Injured

JK: Hours after a terrorist was gunned down in Jammu’s Rajouri district, another encounter broke out at Hallora Gadool, Kokernag, Anantnag on Wednesday, September 3. A group of terrorists, estimated to be two to three in number, as per sources, are currently cornered by security forces. A cordon is in progress, with sealed entry and exit points for search operations to take place.

Both Army and Jammu Kashmir police officers are injured in the ongoing firefight, according to police sources.The Kashmir zone police stated on X, “Encounter has started in Kokernag area of Anantnag. Officers from Army and JKP were injured. Details shall follow.”

In the earlier encounter between security forces and terrorists in Rajouri, both terrorists were killed – one yesterday, and another was gunned down today, as per officials. The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in Jammu, Mukesh Singh, confirmed the successful operation as part of ‘Op Sujaligala’ in the Narla area.

The operation was two-days long. The initial clashes erupted in the remote village and claimed the life of an Indian Army soldier while leaving three others, including a police Special Police Officer (SPO), injured, as per Singh. The operation was led by the Indian Army personnel along with special forces and was initiated in the forest region of Patrada on September 11. Upon detecting suspicious movement, security forces discharged rounds of fire, prompting a fierce exchange. In the ensuing darkness and dense jungle cover, both suspects managed to evade capture, leaving behind a rucksack and assorted belongings, subsequently recovered by search parties.

Further investigations revealed a cache of provisions belonging to the terrorists, including a solar charger, food items, and medicines. The dead terrorist was identified as a Pakistani national with affiliations to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).

The scope of the search was broadened to include adjacent areas, including Bumble and Narla, intensifying efforts to locate the elusive terrorists. Among the casualties of this operation was a gallant Army dog, Kent, a six-year-old female Labrador from the 21 Army Dog Unit. During ‘Operation Sujaligala’, Kent displayed courage, leading a column of soldiers in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists. Shielding its handler, that K9 was killed-in-action during the operation.

The border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have been hotspots of confrontations this year, resulting in the elimination of approximately 26 terrorists and the loss of 10 security personnel. Most of these encounters transpired as terrorists attempted to infiltrate Indian territory from across the border, as indicated by officials.