Were on trail of ultras behind killing of village guards

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army’s special forces was killed, while three soldiers were injured after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in a remote forest area in Kishtwar district on Sunday. The same group of terrorists had on Thursday abducted and killed two village defence guards (VDGs), officials said.

The encounter broke out around 11 am when a joint search team of the Army and the police intercepted the terrorists in Keshwan forest, a few kilometres from the spot where the bullet-riddled bodies of VDGs Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar were found. A massive search operation was launched in the forests of Kuntwara and Keshwan on Thursday evening after the terrorists abducted and killed the VDGs.

It is learnt that the terrorists were hiding in the dense forest area when they attacked the search team. Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of the Army’s 2 Para (SF) was hit by a volley of bullets and succumbed to his injuries. Three other soldiers were injured after which they were rushed to hospital. A brief encounter ensued after which the terrorists fled the spot.

In a statement, the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, also called 16 Corps, said, “GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (SF). Rakesh was part of a joint operation launched in general area of Bhart Ridge Kishtwar on November 9. We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”

Earlier in a post on X, the Army said, “Based on a specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by security forces in general area Bhart Ridge, Kishtwar. This is the same group which had abducted and killed two innocent villagers (village defence guards). Contact was established and a firefight ensued.” The officials said four Army personnel, including the JCO, were injured in the gunfight and evacuated to hospital, where the condition of three of them was stated to be “critical”. The JCO later succumbed to his injuries.

The J&K police said at least three-four terrorists were believed to be involved in the encounter. Kishtwar SSP Abdul Qayoom said a brief exchange of fire had taken place during the search operation, which was still underway.

After the killing of the two VDGs, GOC of White Knight Corps Lt General Navin Sachdeva had on November 8 visited the Bhart Ridge area and reviewed the search operation. The terrorists behind the killings are believed to be Pakistanis who are highly trained in jungle warfare. Sources said they were carrying sophisticated weapons.

Courtesy: The Tribune India :11th Nov , 2024