Deadly Clash in Jammu and Kashmir: Three Police Officers Killed, Two Terrorists Gunned Down

In a violent confrontation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, three police officers lost their lives, and two terrorists were killed, according to sources . The encounter, which unfolded in the remote Sanyal village roughly 5 kilometers from the International Border with Pakistan, also left five security personnel injured, including a deputy superintendent of police, who are now receiving medical treatment.

The incident began when the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police acted on intelligence indicating that terrorists were hiding in a “dhok” (enclosure) within a nursery in Sanyal. As security forces approached, the concealed terrorists opened fire, sparking a gunbattle that lasted over 30 minutes. The two terrorists were neutralized during the exchange, though three to four others remain at large, believed to be holed up in the area.

Officials suspect the terrorists infiltrated from Pakistan on Saturday, heightening concerns about border security. The operation uncovered a significant cache of ammunition in the Sanyal forests, including tracksuits matching those worn by four Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists killed in separate encounters in the Assar forests and Doda last year, as reported by IANS.

The encounter follows a period of relative calm, with authorities noting that contact with militants in the Juthana forest area under Rajbagh police station had resumed after no gunfire exchanges since Sunday, according to an IANS official. The ongoing operation underscores the persistent security challenges in the region as forces work to contain the remaining threats.