In a renewed wave of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, a CRPF soldier lost his life, and six others were injured in two separate terror attacks. The first incident occurred in Kathua late last night, where terrorists launched an assault on a village, leading to a prolonged gunfight that extended into the morning. During this encounter, one terrorist was neutralized, and the search for a second suspect is ongoing, with drones being deployed in the Hiranagar area.
Simultaneously, another fierce gunfight broke out in Doda, where five soldiers and a Special Police Officer (SPO) sustained injuries. The confrontation began when terrorists attacked a joint police and Rashtriya Rifles team at an army base in the Chattargala region. The encounter is still active as security forces continue their operation against the militants in the higher reaches.
Just days before these attacks, a bus carrying pilgrims to the Shiv Khori cave temple in Reasi was ambushed by terrorists. The bus veered into a gorge, resulting in nine fatalities and 33 injuries. The attack, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Hamza, was triggered when the bus driver refused to stop and deboard the passengers.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, who is overseeing the operations in Kathua, provided updates on the encounters. He confirmed that two terrorists were involved in the Kathua attack, with one killed and the other being actively pursued. Jain also clarified misinformation, stating that only one civilian was injured in Kathua and denied reports of multiple deaths and hostage situations.
Jain highlighted the role of Pakistan in these infiltrations, although he did not name the country explicitly. He remarked on the persistent attempts by hostile neighbors to disrupt peace in India, referring to the Kathua attack as a fresh infiltration attempt.
These incidents mark a significant escalation in terrorist activities in Jammu, an area that has seen a relative lull in violence in recent years. The security forces are on high alert, continuing their efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
