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.
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering medicines at 50-90 pc lower prices daily: Nadda
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country are offering medicines at 50-90 per cent lower prices daily, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Jan Aushadhi Diwas on Friday.
Centre aims to reduce road accidents by 50 pc in 2030, next-gen safety must: Gadkari
Speaking at the two-day ‘Global Road Infratech Summit and Expo (GRIS); in the national capital, the minister observed that most of the road accidents that happen in the country are due to poor civil engineering practices in road design, construction, and management and improper road signages and marking systems.
US Supreme Court rejects Tahawwur Rana's extradition stay request
The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, seeking a stay on his extradition to India to face trial
PM Modi on two-day visit to Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat from today, to launch several projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on Friday, where he will launch several developmental projects.
EAM Jaishankar visits General Post Office Museum, interacts with former PM Leo Varadkar in Dublin
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar began his visit to Ireland from the iconic General Post Office Museum, Trinity College and interacted with Irish leaders such as former PM Leo Varadkar.
Trump delays some tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month
US President Donald Trump has signed executive actions that delay for nearly one month tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada that are covered by the USMCA free trade treaty, a significant walkback of the administration's signature economic plan that has rattled markets, businesses and consumers.
EAM Jaishankar calls on Ireland President Michael Higgins, discusses role of culture in strengthening nationhood
External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, has called on Irish President Michael D Higgins, marking the beginning of his visit to Ireland where he is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Irish counterpart.
US, Ukraine to hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia next week, says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ahead of diplomatic-level talks later in the week with US officials.