Rajouri encounter: The encounter between terrorists and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district continued for the second day as the fresh exchange of fire took place on Thursday morning. One more terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces today in the ongoing encounter. The security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the encounter location.
So far, three terrorists have been killed in the operation. Unfortunately, four Army personnel were killed and two others were injured in an encounter on Wednesday.
Terrorist killed in encounter
The terrorist killed in the operation has been identified as Quari, who is a Pakistan national and hardcore terrorist. He has been trained on the Pak and Afghan Front. He is a highly-ranked terrorist leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba. He has been active in Rajouri-Poonch along with his group for the past year. He is also believed to be the mastermind of the Dangri and Kandi attacks.
He was sent to revive terrorism in the region. He is an expert in IEDs, operating and hiding from caves and a trained sniper.
Earlier on Wednesday, one terrorist was killed after a gunfight broke out between the security forces and terrorists in the Baji Maal area of Rajouri district.
Fresh firing erupts
According to officials, the fresh firing resumed this morning after a night-long halt in the Bajimaal area of the Dharmsal belt. The area was cordoned off overnight, and additional security forces were deployed to prevent the escape of terrorists involved in the encounter. The area is densely forested.
The challenging topography of the Reasi-Rajouri-Poonch region, along with limited road connectivity, is creating obstacles in executing the operation. "Isolated dhoks (huts made of mud) in villages nestled in the mountains make the civilian population, particularly women and children, vulnerable to terrorists", an officer said.
4 security personnel killed, 2 injured in Rajouri
The encounter broke out in the Bajimaal area during a cordon-and-search operation on Wednesday. According to the sources, among the four casualties in the encounter were two captains -- Captain MV Pranjal and Captain Shubham and Havildar Maji. The identity of the fourth security personnel is yet to be ascertained.
Major Mehra and another jawan suffered injuries in the encounter. The injured have been shifted to the Army's Command Hospital in Udhampur.
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps of the Army said that based on specific intelligence, joint operations were launched in the Kalakote area of Gulabgarh forest in Rajouri on Sunday.
"Contact was established on 22 November and an intense firefight ensued. The terrorists have been injured and surrounded and operations are in progress, amidst acts of valour and sacrifice by own brave hearts in trying to prevent collateral damage to women and children in the highest traditions of Indian Army," it said.
(Input: Rahi Kapoor)
