'Terrorists panicked, fired randomly': How security forces thwarted terror plot in Kathua

The terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district unfolded in a tense and dramatic sequence of events, culminating in a 15-hour operation by security forces to neutralize the terrorists.

Villagers' Suspicion Raises Alarm
The incident began when two terrorists, suspected to have recently infiltrated, entered the village of Saida Sukhal near Koota morh in Police Station Hira Nagar. They sought water from villagers, who, sensing something amiss, closed their doors and raised an alarm.


"Two terrorists (who appeared to have freshly infiltrated) surfaced in village Saida Sukhal near Koota morh of Police Station Hira Nagar in the late evening of June. They asked for water from a few houses to which villagers grew suspicious and slammed the doors on them and a few raised hue and cry," shared ADGP Jammu.

Terrorists' Indiscriminate Firing
In response to the alarm, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing, injuring one person and causing panic among the villagers. The swift response of SHO Hiranagar and SDPO, who engaged the terrorists, prevented further harm to the villagers.

Engagement with Security Forces
As security forces arrived at the scene, one of the terrorists was killed while attempting to lob a grenade at the police party. However, the other terrorist continued to resist, firing at security forces in an attempt to escape.

"SHO Hiranagar and SDPO rushed to the spot, engaged the terrorists and one terrorist got killed while lobbing a grenade at the police party," ADGP Jammu added.

Sacrifice of CRPF Jawan
During the exchange of fire, CRPF jawan Kabir Dass sustained critical injuries and later succumbed to his wounds, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of security personnel in the face of danger.

Officers' Narrow Escape
Despite the intensity of the operation, the official vehicles of DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua range, Sunil Gupta, and SSP Kathua, Anayat Ali Choudhary, were hit by bullets, but both officers managed to escape unharmed.

Recent Spate of Violence
This incident comes in the wake of a recent attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, which resulted in casualties and injuries, underscoring the ongoing security challenges in the region.
The attack caused the vehicle to swerve off the road and plunge into a deep gorge, resulting in the tragic death of nine individuals and leaving 41 others injured.

(With inputs from TOI)