Cop killed, another injured as gunfight rages between security forces and Jaish terrorists in J-K’s Kathua

An encounter broke out between security forces and Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. A head constable of J&K Police has been killed and an ASI injured as the gunfight rages on.

Kathua encounter: A policeman was killed while another sustained serious injuries in a gunfight with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in a remote village in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening. According to officials, a gunfight broke out between terrorists and a joint team of security forces in at around 5:30 PM in Kog-Mandli village in Billawar tehsil of Kathua, when the forces personnel had launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the area.

“Based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police on September 28, 2024, in General area Dhanuparole, Machhedi Kathua. Contact established and Operations in progress,” Indian Army Rising Star Corps said in a post on its official X handle.

Officials said that a brief exchange of gunfire took place in the initial phase of the firefight, but the firing resumed after a brief lull with both sides exchanging heavy gunfire.

Watch: Security has been heightened in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, following an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the village of Kog, Mandli pic.twitter.com/M1JFJ2Wc2u

— IANS (@ians_india) September 28, 2024

In the ensuing encounter, Head Constable of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, identified as Bashir Ahmad, was killed, while an Assistant Sub-Inspector sustained critical bullet injuries, they said, adding that around four to five Jaish terrorists are believed to hiding in the area.

“During the ongoing encounter in village Kog (Mandli), under the jurisdiction of P/S Billawar, one police personnel, Head Constable Bashir Ahmed, has sacrificed his life, and one ASI has sustained bullet injuries. Further details are awaited,” the Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement.

Heavy firing was going on when last reports came in with security sources confirming that the operation to eliminate the terrorists was still underway, adding that the area has been cordoned off and reinforcements called in from adjoining security camps.