Two cops injured as fresh encounter erupts in J&K’s Kathua

Srinagar: Two policemen were injured as a fresh encounter erupted between security forces and terrorists in the Juthana area of Kathua district in Jammu on Thursday, where a massive anti-terrorist operation is underway for the last five days.

The gunfight erupted as security forces launched an operation in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh, roughly 30 kilometers from the site of Sunday’s encounter in Hiranagar sector, where terrorists had previously engaged with forces before fleeing, officials said.

During the initial firefight, two policemen sustained gunshot wounds. As of the last reports, the exchange of fire was still ongoing, with reinforcements having been rushed to the scene to support the operation.

Sources said the terrorists involved in the Juthana encounter are believed to be part of the same group that had managed to escape during the gun battle in Hiranagar on Sunday evening. The operation, now in its fifth day, continues to present challenges for security forces. Commandos, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and sniffer dogs have been deployed to assist in locating and neutralizing the militants.

Nalin Prabhat, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, has been camping in Kathua and was seen leading the anti-terrorist operation along with Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti over the past four days.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal confirmed that an encounter has broken out with the forces in Juthana area.

Amid intelligence inputs of fresh infiltration from across the International Border (IB), security has been intensified along the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in the Samba-Kathua section.

The IB in Kathua district has become a significant infiltration route for Pakistan-based terrorists, allowing them to access the higher reaches of the Kailash tri-junction, which connects Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar districts, and ultimately leads into Kashmir.