Encounter In Jammu Kashmir's Kishtwar Enters Day 2 As Terrorists Take Shelter In A Rock Cave

Kishtwar: Intermittent firing and explosions rocked the forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district as the operation to eliminate terrorists in Dool forest area entered its second day on Monday. The search operation comes amid another encounter between terrorists and security forces in Akhal forest area in south Kashmir's Kulgam.

According to police sources, the terrorists are hiding in a cave in the Dool area of the Bhagna forest, about 25 km from Kishtwar town. The search operation in the forest was launched on Sunday morning following a tip-off that two most wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, Riaz Ahmed and Mudassar Hazare, who have been active for the past eight years and carry a reward of Rs 10 lakh on their heads, were present in the area.

The hiding terrorists opened fire on the search party at 6:30 am on Sunday and fled towards the interior parts of the forest during the retaliatory action. According to officials, there was an exchange of fire twice more during the day. Army para-commandos, police and CRPF troops were added as additional reinforcements in the operation, while drones were also deployed to prevent the terrorists from escaping.

Police sources said that the last firing by the terrorists took place on Sunday evening near the cave, which is said to be very deep and the security forces suspect that the terrorists have taken shelter in it. Several loud explosions and intermittent firing could be heard throughout the night. The search operation is underway and more details are awaited.

Kulgam Encounter Enters Day 11

The gunfight between terrorists and security forces in Akhal forest area in Kulgam entered day 11 on Monday.

Two Army soldiers--Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh -- and a terrorist have been killed in the encounter while many soldiers were injured.

Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps on Saturday paid homage to the soldiers killed in the Akhal encounter.

"Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us," it wrote in a post on X.

Read More:

1. Jammu Kashmir: Encounter Breaks Out In Kishtwar; Kulgam Gunfight Enters 10th Day
2. JK Police Searches 26 Houses In Massive Crackdown On Terror Ecosystem In Kishtwar