An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Tuesday, officials said. Security forces launched a search operation in Nagmarg in the north Kashmir district based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists.
After suspicious activity was observed, the security forces challenged the terrorists, who fired at the forces. The operation is underway.
"On 12 Nov 24, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the general area Nagmarg of Bandipora. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Own troops effectively retaliated. Operation is in progress”, the Chinar Corps wrote in a post on X.
On Sunday, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of the Army's 2 Para was killed and three more soldiers were injured in an encounter in Kishtwar. The encounter broke out when joint search parties of the Army and police intercepted the terrorists around 11 am in the Keshwan forest area. The exchange of fire went on for more than four hours.
The encounter broke out around 11 am when joint search parties of the Army and police intercepted the terrorists in the Keshwan forest, a few kilometres from the spot where the bullet-riddled bodies of VDGs Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar were found.
Security forces have ramped up their efforts, using drones and sniffer dogs, while a helicopter was seen flying over the forested area, they said. "Two VDG members, Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar from Ohli-Kuntwara, went missing in the upper reaches while grazing livestock," a police spokesperson said.
Later, photographs of their bodies were circulated on social media. The incident has been widely condemned by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and leaders from the People's Democratic Party, Congress, and the BJP.
Officials reported that both the victims had gone to graze cattle in the Munzla Dhar forest area of Adhwari but did not return. Police teams initiated a search after reports of their abduction and subsequent killing by terrorists.