Another terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, 6 security personnel injured as operation underway

Digital Desk: In yet another terror attack, five soldiers and a special police officer were injured in an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, officials said on Wednesday.

Terrorists fired upon the joint checkpost of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police in the Chattergalla area on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot road in Doda, the officials said. The injured security personnel are being treated at a hospital. Additional security personnel have been rushed to the area to intensify the operation.

This incident marks the third such attack in Jammu within the past three days. Previously, terrorists opened fire in Kathua, injuring a civilian, and attacked a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers and injuries to 42 others. These subsequent attacks have heightened concerns over security in the region, especially with the approaching Amarnath Yatra, a significant annual pilgrimage that sees a large influx of devotees.

In Kathua district, police and security forces are engaged in an operation to track down a terrorist hiding in Saida Sukhal village within the Koota Morh under Hiranagar police station limits, news agency PTI reported. Security forces killed a suspected Pakistani terrorist after ultras attacked a village near the International Border (IB) on Tuesday evening, injuring a civilian.

The police, with assistance from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have cordoned off the area and are conducting a house-to-house search. A family, consisting of a man and his wife, has been evacuated to a hospital. The husband, Omkar Nath, suffered an arm injury and is reported to be in stable condition, while his wife remains unhurt.

The operation in Saida Sukhal started after two recently infiltrated terrorists appeared in the village late Tuesday evening. According to a police statement, the terrorists asked for water from several houses, raising villagers' suspicions. When the villagers raised an alarm, the terrorists fired randomly, injuring one person.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Hiranagar and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) engaged the terrorists, resulting in the death of one terrorist who tried to lob a grenade at the police party. 

Sharing details about the Kathua operation, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for the Jammu zone, Anand Jain, said, "Two terrorists who appeared to be freshly infiltrated from across the border surfaced in Saida Sukhal village around 8 pm and asked for water from a household. The people got frightened, and as soon as information was received, a police team headed by the SDPO and SHO rushed to the village."

According to the ADGP, one terrorist was killed, and the operation in the village near Koota Mode in the Hiranagar sector, over 60 km from here, was underway. The officials said an AK assault rifle and a rucksack were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorist, whose identity and group affiliation were being ascertained. "One of the terrorists tried to hurl a grenade and was killed in the exchange of fire, while the second terrorist is reported to be hiding in the village," the ADGP added.

The Jammu ADGP further said the attack seems to be a ploy to disturb the Amarnath Yatra. "As the Amarnath Yatra is approaching, this seems to be a ploy to disturb the yatra. One civilian is injured, and there is no hostage situation," Jain said.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh also took to his official X handle and posted, "I am in continuous online contact with DC Kathua Rakesh Minhas in the wake of a terrorist attack on a house in village Saida in Hiranagar sector close to the International Border. I am also in touch with SSP Kathua Sh Anayat Ali Choudhary, who is on the spot. The owner of the house that was attacked (name not to be disclosed) is also in touch on a mobile phone. A joint police and para-military operation is ongoing. One terrorist neutralized so far. I and my office are in constant touch and keeping a close watch on the developments."

These incidents come amid heightened security efforts following an attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra in Reasi on Sunday. The attack caused the bus to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge, leaving nine dead and 42 injured. The recurrence of these attacks underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect civilians and maintain stability.