The quiet village of Suffain in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, was rocked by heavy gunfire and explosive blasts for the second consecutive day on Friday. The ongoing exchange of fire saw police forces, assisted by the Army and CRPF, continuing their operations from multiple directions after a night halt, in an effort to sanitize the area.
The violent encounter, which began on Thursday morning, resulted in the death of three terrorists during a fierce day-long gunfight. The clash was part of intensified operations led by Jammu and Kashmir Police targeting a group of militants believed to be infiltrators from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. This group had recently evaded a cordon in the Sanyal Forest region.
Police suspect the terrorists infiltrated the area on Saturday, possibly using a ravine route or a newly constructed tunnel from across the border. The operation gained momentum after search teams discovered critical evidence on Monday, including loaded M4 carbine magazines, grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, food packets, and materials for constructing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the Hiranagar encounter site.
As the operation progressed, security forces closed in on terrorists hiding in a remote mountain hut, typically used by nomadic herders, but the militants managed to escape. A breakthrough came when a woman from Dinga Amb village reported seeing two men in combat uniform asking for water. This led to an intensification of the search operation in the area.
By Friday, three terrorists were confirmed dead, out of five believed to have crossed the border. Two others are still trapped, and while presumed dead, their bodies could not be located by drones. Tragically, three policemen were killed in action, and seven others, including a deputy superintendent of police, sustained injuries during the operation.
The ongoing operation highlights the continued challenges faced by security forces in the region as they work to neutralize terrorist threats and ensure the safety of the local population.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)