A massive search operation continued on Monday in the forests of Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district to trace the terrorists responsible for the killing of a para commando during a gunfight in the Keshwan area on Sunday.
Security forces continued the search operation in the densely forested Keshwan area of Kishtwar a day after a JCO of the elite Para Commando force of the army was killed in a gunfight with terrorists hiding in the area.
The CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) has been going on for over four days now. The security forces are trying to trace the killers of two civilians, who were abducted from Ohli village and then murdered brutally in the forest area.
Sunday’s encounter broke out when joint search parties of the army and police intercepted the terrorists around 11 a.m. in the Keshwan forest area.
“Fierce firing exchanges had continued for over four hours. During this gunfight, a JCO, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of the Army’s 2 Para was killed and three other soldiers were injured,” officials said adding that after this contact, no fresh contact with the terrorists was established.
“Three to four terrorists responsible for the killings of two village defence guards (VDGs) are still holed up in the area and a massive search operation is underway to neutralise them," officials added.
“Thick foliage and the topography of the area pose a challenge for the security forces, who are relentlessly chasing the terrorists to hunt them down,” officials added.
Hundreds of people had attended the funeral of the two slain VDGs, Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, and a complete protest shutdown was observed in Kishtwar town.
Foreign mercenaries have been active in the hilly areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua and Udhampur dustricts of Jammu division for the last few months, posing serious challenges to the security forces.
The tactics of these terrorists have been to carry out sly attacks against army, security forces, police and civilians and then disappear into densely forested areas of these districts.
Crown Prince of Dubai presents PM Modi replica of his grandfather's traditional cloak
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a replica of his grandfather Sheikh Rashid's 'bisht'
President Murmu encourages Indian researchers in Portugal to contribute towards Viksit Bharat
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday interacted with over 60 Indian doctoral and post-doctoral researchers working in various institutions and universities all across Portugal, during her ongoing State Visit to the country, the first-ever visit by an Indian President in 27 years.
OTPC Palatana conducts security mock drill
The OTPC Palatana Plant, which stands as a vital installation and a significant asset not only for the state of Tripura but also for the Government of India, has successfully conducted a security mock drill on Tuesday.
PM Modi working tirelessly for welfare of Indigenous people: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working tirelessly for the overall welfare of the indigenous people of the state, and the BJP government is also working in line with the direction of PM Modi.
CM listens to public grievances in Mukhyamantri Samipeshu, assures help
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that health services in the state have significantly improved and all the facilities of government medical services are now available in the state.
ADB approves $85.4 Million loan to boost industrial infrastructure in Tripura
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $85.4 million loan to improve critical industrial infrastructure in Tripura to boost competitiveness in the manufacturing sector, promote job creation, and facilitate integration into regional and global value chains.
ONOE will save time, money & resources: Former Tripura CM
Former Tripura Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Member Biplab Kumar Deb on Tuesday strongly defended the ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) Bill, saying that the initiative would bring significant savings in time, money, and resources.
Waqf Amendment Act comes into force, Centre issues gazette notification
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, officially came into effect on Tuesday following a Gazette notification issued by the Central Government. The Act received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, two days after its passage in Parliament.