Kathua Encounter Update: One police personnel of Jammu and Kashmir police laid his life for the service of the motherland while two others - an assistant sub-inspector and Deputy SP - sustained bullet injuries in the ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists in Kathua's Mandli area.
The gunfire erupted around 5:30 pm on Saturday when a joint party of Army and JK police launched a specific intelligence-based search operation in the Kog-Mandli village of Billawar tehsil after they were informed about the presence of terrorists inside a house.
Strict Surveillance In The Area
Officials stated that additional forces have been called in from nearby security camps, and the area has been tightly cordoned off. After the initial exchange of fire, there was a brief period of calm, but as night fell, the gunfire between both sides intensified. The hidden terrorists tried desperately to break through the cordon, taking advantage of the darkness.
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He further mentioned that the area has been illuminated, and advanced equipment, including drones, has been deployed for strict surveillance. As per the latest reports, intermittent gunfire was ongoing.
Meanwhile, senior police officials including additional DGP Ananad Pardhan reached at the spot to take stock of the ongoing operation.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, ADGP Jain said that they are continuing the search operation in the area for terrorists and that they are making the arrangements so that there are no terror attacks or violence during the polls.
"We are continuing our operations, and we have also made the required arrangements for the third phase of the elections here so that there are no terror attacks or violence during the third phase," he said.
(With agency inputs)