In a significant achievement during the ongoing cordon and search operation in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, security forces eliminated a terrorist on Sunday. Officials reported that the terrorist’s body was recovered from the encounter site at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil on Sunday afternoon.
The search for additional terrorists is still underway in Kog-Mandli, with operations entering their second day. This follows a fierce engagement after receiving intelligence on Saturday regarding the presence of three to four foreign terrorists in the area. Anand Jain, Additional Director General of Police for the Jammu zone, confirmed that the operation commenced on Saturday based on this critical information.
The situation escalated on Saturday when a Jammu and Kashmir Police Head Constable was killed, and two officers were injured as terrorists opened fire on a joint security team conducting the search. Jain addressed the media near the encounter site, explaining that the operation was initiated after confirming terrorist activity in the region, which led to a gunfight. Tragically, Head Constable Bashir Ahmad lost his life, while a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and an Assistant Sub-Inspector sustained injuries. Both injured officers are reported to be in stable condition.
Jain emphasized that the area remains under tight security, and efforts are ongoing to neutralize the three to four foreign terrorists believed to be hiding nearby. Intelligence suggests that terrorists were holed up in a residential structure. Regarding the timing of the operation, particularly ahead of the third phase of polling on October 1, he assured that counter-terrorism operations are active and will continue.
“We are receiving continuous information about terrorist activities and are committed to neutralizing threats as swiftly as possible,” Jain stated. He also assured that robust security measures are in place across all poll-bound areas to prevent any terror-related incidents, ensuring a violence-free election process.
