Kathua Gunfight: CRPF Officer Killed, One Terrorist Neutralized; Operations Continue
Jammu : – A CRPF officer was killed and a terrorist injured after a group of freshly infiltrated militants stormed a residential house in Jammu’s Kathua district last evening.
The encounter began in the village of Saida Sukhal, near Koota Morh in Hiranagar, when the armed terrorists entered a home. According to officials, the confrontation resumed around 3 AM when CRPF Constable was injured. He was rushed to Sub District Hospital Hiranagar but succumbed to his injuries.
Additional Director General of Police Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, confirmed that two terrorists were spotted in the village. One attempted to throw a grenade and was killed in the ensuing firefight, while the second remains at large. Jain indicated this was a fresh infiltration attempt from Pakistan aimed at disturbing the region’s peace.
In a separate incident, a joint patrol of 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police was fired upon by terrorists in Chattargalla. Security forces retaliated, but details remain scarce due to the remote location. Initial reports suggest that one or two security personnel were injured, but no official confirmation has been received.
The terrorists in Saida Sukhal appeared around 7:45 PM, seeking food and water from local residents who bravely refused and alerted the authorities. The terrorists then forcibly entered another home, demanding water and a vehicle. Police, already tipped off, confronted the terrorists. One terrorist was killed while the other escaped under the cover of darkness.
Local police are conducting house-to-house searches. So far, only one couple has been evacuated, with the husband sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. An AK rifle and a rucksack were recovered from the slain terrorist.
Residents of Saida Sukhal showed commendable bravery, preventing the terrorists from fleeing. Security forces have secured the village, ensuring the remaining terrorist does not escape. Villagers have also called for an investigation into a recent civilian murder, suspecting it may be linked to the terrorists.
Operations continue as security forces scour the area to eliminate the remaining threat.
