According to the reports on Monday (24 March), a 7-year-old girl was injured during a fierce gunfight between security forces and 4-5 Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists in the Sanyal area of Hiranagar, Kathua district, on Sunday (23 March). The child, Anchal Kumari from Bihar, suffered a minor bullet wound and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The encounter erupted when a joint team of the Army, CRPF, and state police launched a cordon and search operation following intelligence about terrorist activity near the Indo-Pak border. Security forces engaged the militants in an intense firefight after they opened fire.
An Army spokesperson dismissed social media claims suggesting troop casualties, calling them “false and deliberate disinformation.” The region has seen a rise in terrorist activities, prompting heightened security measures. On Sunday (23 March), a joint team of the Army and police busted a terrorist hideout in the Bhalra forest area of Doda’s Bhaderwah. The operation, which began on 11 Jul after locals reported suspicious activity, led to the recovery of a pistol, three magazines, and 25 rounds of AK rifle ammunition.
Meanwhile, security forces also launched combing operations in Kishtwar district on Sunday (23 March) to track down potential terrorist threats. The Kathua encounter comes two years after a powerful explosion near the Sanyal border police post on 29 Mar 2023, which created panic among residents. A live grenade was discovered in the area the following day, further raising security concerns. These incidents highlight the persistent threat of militancy in the region.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a series of recent attacks by suspected terrorists. On Friday (21 March), militants attempted to target a police vehicle with a grenade in Rajouri district, but the attack failed. On Wednesday (26 February), armed terrorists ambushed an Army convoy in Akhnoor, escalating concerns over security in the region. With an increasing number of terrorist encounters and recoveries of arms and explosives, security forces continue their efforts to curb militancy and safeguard civilian lives.
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