Army soldier martyred, two injured
*Para commandos airlifted, drones being used
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 22: An Army soldier was martyred and two others were injured as a gun battle broke out between security forces and terrorists at village Singhpora in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district this morning amid reports that dreaded Pakistani terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commander Saifullah could be among those trapped.
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Additional troops have been rushed to Singhpora and Beighpora, just two-three kilometres apart, where the terrorists, likely in the group of two each, took positions early this morning after initial contact with Army. Paramilitary CRPF, Kishtwar police and Special Operations Group (SOG) have also joined the operation.
In the first contact with terrorists this morning, heavy exchange of gun fighting took place in which three Army soldiers were injured. One of them, later identified as Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, 32, a resident of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra succumbed to the injuries. Two other injured jawans are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
“After initial contact, four terrorists split into two groups of two each and took positions at Singhpora and Beighpora, in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district,” the sources said, adding security forces have cordoned off both the villages and are using drones for surveillance. Elite para commandos of the Army have also been airlifted to eliminate the terrorists.
Unconfirmed reports said that Jaish commander and Pakistani terrorist Saifullah could be among the four terrorists trapped in the gun battle. However, an official confirmation is awaited but, as per the sources, all four are believed to be the Pakistanis and they were equipped with sophisticated weapons like M4 Carbine and AK-47 etc.
There have been reports that one or two groups of terrorists have been hiding in upper reaches of Kishtwar. Click here to watch video
Meanwhile, DGP Nalin Prabhat, today visited the Singhpora-Chatroo area of district Kishtwar, where a major anti-terrorists operation is currently underway.
The DGP was accompanied by IGP Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti and DIG DKR Range Shridhar Patil, IPS and held a comprehensive review of the ground situation and strategy with officers leading the operation.
The DGP visited the dense forests and mountainous terrain, encouraged the deployed personnel, and issued directions to ensure that all terrorists involved are dealt strictly and brought to justice.
On April 11 last year, troops gunned down three terrorists in Kishtwar. Prior to this, the terrorists killed two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in upper reaches of the district.
“Contact has been established with terrorists during a joint operation with police at Chatroo in Kishtwar this morning,” the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
Additional troops have been deployed and the operation is ongoing to neutralise the terrorists, it said.
“During the ongoing operation, fierce gunfight is continuing. One of our bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the exchange of fire and has succumbed despite best medical efforts,” the White Knight Corps said.
The operation is in progress, it added.
Sources said security forces have strengthened cordon in Singhpora as well as Beighpora to ensure that the terrorists don’t manage to escape taking cover of darkness.
There have been reports that few groups of Pakistani terrorists keep on shifting to mountainous areas of other districts from Kishtwar to Anantnag or Doda, Udhampur and Kathua depending upon pressure of security forces. During past couple of months, three to four contacts have been established between terrorists and security forces in Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district but a success remained elusive.”
In March, a group of five or more terrorists had infiltrated from the International Border from Hiranagar sector in Kathua district. Two terrorists were killed after couple of contacts while four police personnel were martyred. Rest of the terrorists remained untraced so far.
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