3 security men, 2 terrorists killed in Kathua operation

Three J&K policemen and two terrorists were killed during an ongoing operation in Kathua district, Jammu, while two others, including a DySP, were injured.

The gunfight began early Thursday morning during a search operation near Jalhole village, in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, about 30 km from Hiranagar, where infiltrators had previously evaded a cordon earlier this week.

Officials are investigating whether this group is the same that escaped Hiranagar or if it's a newly infiltrated one. One source suggested it could be the same group that crossed the International Border near Hiranagar around March 22.


The operation, which has been ongoing for the past week, led to the encounter in Rajbagh. Forces from J&K Police, CRPF, BSF, NSG, elite Army para commandos, as well as drones, sniffer dogs, and aerial surveillance through helicopters were deployed.

J&K Police Director General Nalin Prabhat and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti led the operation from the ground.

Earlier, police had found several items near the Hiranagar encounter site, including four loaded M4 carbine magazines, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, food packets, and materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Hideout unearthed in Rajouri

Security forces on Thursday unearthed a hideout and recovered ammunition from it in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said.

Acting on a tip-off, troops of the Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the police launched a search operation in Manyal Gali forests of Thanamandi, they said.

During the operation, the forces uncovered the hideout and recovered five live rounds, one grenade, one gas cylinder, a small solar panel and some food items.