4 foreign terrorists involved in VDGs’ killings trapped
Helicopters, drones pressed into operation
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 10: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Special Forces was martyred and three other soldiers were injured as troops established contact with four terrorists at Gidhri Top in Thossar area of Kishtwar district who were involved in the killings of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) the other day in Kuntwara area.
Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (Special Forces), who was leading one of the teams in Gidhri Top area in remote forests of Kishtwar district, sustained injuries in the gun battle that ensued with the terrorists hiding in the forests along with three other soldiers this morning. All of them were airlifted to a Military Hospital where Kumar succumbed to the injuries this evening.
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Multiple teams of Special Forces (para commandos) and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Police have fanned out in Gidhri Top in Thossar area connecting Munjla Dhar with ridges where four foreign terrorists, most likely the Pakistanis, have been trapped by the security personnel after the killing of two VDGs.
Officials said Gidhri Top is quite far away from Munjla Dhar but is connected by the ridges and the terrorists might have covered the distance to run away and survive following massive search operations launched by the security forces after killings of the two VDGs on Thursday when they had gone for grazing of their cattle in the forests.
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Special Forces, JKP, SOG and paramilitary forces were tracking movement of the terrorists using helicopters, drones and other latest gadgetry. Finally, four terrorists were tracked in Gidhri Top resulting into the gun battle in which the Naib Subedar was martyred while three other jawans were injured.
The terrorists remained under the cordon but there was no fresh contact with them till late this evening, the officials said, adding the operations have been halted for the night and will resume with first light tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed condolences to the family of martyr Rakesh Kumar.
“I salute the courage and supreme sacrifice of the Army’s braveheart, Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar, who laid down his life in the line of duty in Kishtwar. His selfless service to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr,” he wrote on X.
As per the officials, all four terrorists were foreigners and equipped with heavy weaponry including M4 Carbines, assault rifles and explosive devices etc.
“The group appeared to be same which brutally massacred two VDGs Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar in Munjla Dhar in Kuntwara area of Kishtwar district on Thursday when they had gone to the forests for grazing of cattle,” the officials said, adding all out efforts are being made to eliminate the terrorists.
According to officials, the terrorists were trying to escape deep inside the forests and mountains following the killing of VDGs as they were anticipating massive search and cordon operations by the security personnel.
The Army’s Nagrota-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X, “Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by security forces in general area Bhart Ridge, Kishtwar. This is the same group which had abducted and killed 2 (two) innocent villagers (Village Defence Guards). Contact was established and firefight ensued.”
“GOC (General Officer Commanding) White knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart, Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (SF). Sub Rakesh was part of a joint CI (counter-insurgency) operation launched in general area of Bhart Ridge Kishtwar. We stand with bereaved family in this hour of grief,” the Army said in its latest tweet.
According to the officials, besides the group trapped by the security personnel, there could be one more group operating in Kishtwar district. Generally, these groups have been shuttling between Doda, Kishtwar and South Kashmir, they said, adding it is only a matter of time when they are eliminated.
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