Terrorist Neutralized in Intense Jammu and Kashmir Encounter

A terrorist linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. A fresh encounter in Rajouri district initiated a search operation, with a grenade found and neutralized earlier. One policeman died and two officers were injured in the clashes, while security remains heightened ahead of upcoming elections.

A terrorist, suspected to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, was killed in a remote village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said on Sunday.

A new encounter erupted in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district on Sunday evening. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation after receiving intelligence about the presence of two terrorists, officials stated.

“Based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched by security forces at Manial Gali in Thanamandi. Contact has been established, and a few rounds have been fired from both sides,” a police official reported.

Earlier, a live hand grenade was discovered on the banks of a stream in the area, which was subsequently destroyed in a controlled explosion by experts.

In Kathua district, the body of an unidentified terrorist was recovered this afternoon from the site of a Saturday evening encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil. The death toll in the two-day operation has now reached two.

A grenade launcher, grenades, and other materials were found in the possession of the deceased terrorist. A massive search operation is ongoing to neutralize other foreign terrorists.

Head Constable Bashir Ahmad was killed, and two officers – Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) Sukhbir Singh and Assistant Sub-Inspector Niaz Ahmad – were injured during a terrorist attack on a joint security party Saturday evening.

Director General of Police R R Swain paid tribute to the fallen officer, stating, “Bashir did not fear death when it came to protecting his community and countrymen.”

Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain mentioned that the operation was launched on Saturday following information about three to four foreign terrorists in a house.

Speaking to reporters, he confirmed both injured officers are stable.

“The whole area is under tight security cordon, and an operation is underway to neutralize the terrorists hiding in the area,” he added.

On the interception of the terrorist group before the third phase of elections on October 1, the police officer said operations against terrorists will continue uninterrupted.

“We continuously receive information about terrorists and conduct operations to neutralize them as soon as possible,” he added.

Adequate security measures are in place in all areas set for polling to prevent terror-related incidents.

Besides Kathua, the third phase of polls covers Jammu, Udhampur, and Samba districts in the Jammu region, as well as north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts.

The DGP expressed condolences to the family of the late head constable, assuring J-K police support for his family. The force aims to avenge Bashir's martyrdom, honoring his bravery in protecting the community against foreign terrorists.

The police chief also wished for the swift recovery of other injured personnel.