Third Encounter in 8 Days in Kathua, J&K; 3 Terrorists Trapped in Ongoing Operation

Kathua (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions flared once again in Kathua district as an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces late Monday night. This marks the third such face-off in just eight days. According to sources, the terrorists opened fire on a police team during a search operation in the Panjtirthi area of Ramkot. Security forces responded swiftly and have reportedly succeeded in cornering three terrorists in the forested region. An official statement from the police or army is awaited.

To prevent the terrorists from escaping under the cover of darkness, a tight cordon was set up around the area. The search operation has been intensified with the deployment of aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs. Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar Sharma, earlier in the day, reiterated the force’s commitment to eliminating terrorism from the region. “Till even one terrorist remains, our operation will not stop,” he stated, urging residents near the border to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

This latest standoff follows two recent encounters in the same district. On March 27, a fierce gunbattle in the Sanyal area led to the death of two terrorists but also claimed the lives of four policemen, injuring three others including a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Prior to that, on March 23, an encounter in the Nursery area near the international border ended with the terrorists fleeing. The repeated incidents underscore the heightened security challenge in the region, with forces on high alert to prevent further escalation.