According to Kashmir Media news reports, a fierce gun battle took place in the remote forests of Kathua district in Indian-held Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of two militants and injuries to five security personnel. The security forces launched an operation against a group of about five militants suspected of infiltrating from across the border.
The encounter occurred near Jakhole village in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh. During the initial exchange of gunfire, Special Police Officer Bharat Chalotra sustained facial injuries. He was first treated at a Kathua hospital before being moved to Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu, where he remains in stable condition.
Officials reported that the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, supported by the Indian Army, BSF, and CRPF, managed to neutralize two militants. Meanwhile, three security personnel, including a senior officer, were trapped near the gunfight location, adding to the tension in the region.
The same group of militants is believed to have evaded an earlier security cordon in Sanyal forest. They were intercepted in the Hiranagar sector on Sunday evening but managed to escape. The militants were later spotted near Jakhole, about 30 kilometers from the previous encounter site.
A large-scale search operation was launched with advanced surveillance tools, including helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs. Security forces also recovered weapons, grenades, bulletproof jackets, and other equipment from the suspected hideout.
Top security officials, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti, have been overseeing operations in Kathua for the past four days. The situation remains tense as security forces continue their efforts to eliminate any remaining militants.
