The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Four soldiers were injured after a gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Chenab Valley of Kishtwar district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally on Saturday.

According to the reports from the news agency KNO, four soldiers received bullet injuries and were evacuated to a medical facility after an encounter broke out at Chhatroo area of Kishtwar.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally in neighbouring Doda tomorrow.

“Based on the intelligence inputs, a joint operation with J&K Police was launched in Chatroo area at Kishtwar. A contact has been established with the terrorists at 3.30 pm. In the ensuing firefight, four army personnel were injured. The operation is in progress,” the Army's White Knight Corps said in a statement.

Moreover, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain said, “Exchange of fire has taken place between search teams of security forces and hiding terrorists at Pingnal Dugadda forest area, upper reaches of Naidgham village under the jurisdiction of Chhatroo Police Station, Kishtwar district."

According to sources, the encounter began when the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, launched an anti-militancy operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Militants, who were hiding in the area, opened fire on the search party, prompting retaliation from security forces.

Reports suggest that at least four Jaish-e-Muhammad militants are trapped in Chatroo area of Kishtwar where the encounter is currently going on and search operations have been intensified to nearby areas of the encounter area. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, surrounded the area to neutralise the militants.

SRINAGAR — Twenty-five casualties have been reported in the ongoing month of July in eight gunfights and five militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Eleven soldiers and a civilian also sustained injuries in militancy-related incidents this month.

The data available with the news agency KNT reveals that this month, 12 militants including 6 infiltrators and 13 soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. 10 soldiers were killed in the Jammu region while 3 soldiers died in three encounters in Kashmir Valley.

Joint teams of security forces neutralized six infiltrators this month while six local militants were killed in twin encounters in Chinnibal and Modergam villages of southern Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Out of eight gunfights, five raged in Kashmir Valley. Two encounters raged in Kulgam and three in the frontier district of Kupwara. Two encounters broke out in Doda and one in Poonch district of Jammu region.

Militants carried out five attacks in the Jammu region including Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, and Kathua.

This month witnessed the maximum number of militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

JAMMU — A soldier was killed in the line of duty as the army thwarted an infiltration bid by militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu's Poonch district early Tuesday, the latest in a string of militant attacks in the region.

Lance Naik Subash Kumar was injured in the intense gunfight and later succumbed, said officials, adding militants too suffered "loss".

“All Ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart L/Nk Subhash Chander who laid down his life in the line of duty. White Knight Corps offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” army in a post on X confirmed, as per the news agency KNO.

Officials said that a post-mortem has been conducted and the soldier's body handed over to the army. A search operation has been launched in the area, the officials said.

Earlier, the army in a post on X said, “Alert troops foiled an infiltration bid by effectively engaging infiltrating terrorists … in the Battal sector of Krishna Ghati at 0300 hours. During the exchange of heavy fire, one braveheart was injured, who later succumbed.”

There has been a spurt in militant activities in Jammu in recent months, raising fears about the revival of militancy in the region.

Yesterday, alert soldiers thwarted a major militant attack on a home of gallantry soldier’s in Budhal -Khawas area of Rajouri, an official said. "As per details, militants opened fire at one of temporary army posts, which was operational near the house of a VDG member Parshotam Kumar, a Village Defence Guard (VDG) member in Gundha - a remote village of Rajouri district at around 0310 hours and the fire was promptly retaliated by security personnel," official said.

He added, “The attack was given appropriate retaliation by alert security personnel.” Sources said that an army trooper was injured in a brief exchange of fire between militants and hospitalized, but there has been no official confirmation on the same.

This attack follows two high-level meetings chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Jammu on Saturday, where they reviewed the security situation in response to the recent surge in militant attacks in the region.

According to sources, security forces initiated a cordon and search operation in a village in the Budhal area of Rajouri district after suspected militants opened fire at a security picket early in the morning.

This incident follows another attempted militant attack on a Territorial Army (TA) battalion post in Galuti Patrara village of Manjakote, Rajouri district, on July 7. An Army sentry deployed at the post sustained injuries during the initial exchange of gunfire, which lasted for half an hour on Sunday morning.

POONCH — Indian army troops foiled an infiltration attempt by suspected militants in the Battal sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district early Tuesday, officials said.

A soldier was injured during the exchange of fire, the army said in a statement posted on social media.

Taking on to the micro-blogging platform X, the army spokesperson wrote, "Alert troops foiled an infiltration bid by effectively engaging infiltrating terrorists with effective fire in the Battal Sector at 0300h. During the exchange of heavy fire, one braveheart has been injured."

The operation, according to the statement, is going on.

It is in place to mention here that repeated militant attacks in the Jammu region have created a challenging situation for both the LG-led UT administration as well as the Union government.

DODA — After the death of five soldiers in Kathua, four more soldiers including an officer have been killed in Deesa forest area of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

An army official had earlier said that during the initial exchange of fire, some soldiers suffered injuries.

Reports said that four Indian Army soldiers, including a Captain rank officer, who were critically injured in a gunfight with militants on Monday night in Deesa forest area of Doda died in the hospital.

Army said that during a search operation, suspicious movement was observed in Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest area.

During the initial exchange of fire, four soldiers sustained injuries and succumbed late Monday night in the hospital.

Reports said that a policeman also suffered injuries during the encounter. The operation is in progress.

On July 8 this month, five soldiers including a JCO were killed and an equal number of soldiers were injured in a militant attack in the Badnota area of Kathua district of Jammu region.

JAMMU — Four army personnel were killed and six injured on Monday when militants ambushed their vehicle in the remote Machhedi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said.

The militants hurled a grenade and opened fire targeting Army vehicles which were on a routine patrol on the Machhedi-Kindli-Malhar road at around 3:30 pm near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 km from Kathua town.

Security forces retaliated but the militants fled into the nearby forest, the officials said, adding an intermittent exchange of firing was going on between the militants and security forces when the last reports were received.

SRINAGAR — An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Machhedi area of Kathua district on Monday.

Official sources quoted by the local news agency GNS said that a joint team of police and security forces came under fire during searches in Machhedi area, which the forces retaliated, triggering a gunfight.

After the gunfight broke out, more reinforcement was sent to the encounter spot, according to the sources.

It is in place to mention here that security forces killed six militants in two separate gunfights in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, ending operations on Sunday more than 24 hours after they began, even as the Indian Army laid to rest two of its soldiers who were killed in the gunfights on Saturday.

DODA — Fear has gripped Jammu's Doda district after two back-to-back gunfights within a span of just 24 hours in Bhaderwah and Gandoh areas were reported, which left seven people including five soldiers and two policemen injured.

The back-to-back incidents have forced the School Education Department to verbally communicate to the heads of educational institutions not to conduct any outings or allow students to leave the schools during working hours.

Even some tourists are leaving Bhaderwah, the emerging tourist destination where thousands of tourists have visited in the past few months.

Sources told the news agency KNO that following last night's firefight in Chattergala, the Chief Education Officer Doda on Wednesday morning issued verbal orders to Principals and Heads of Educational Institutions to follow the orders in letter and spirit.

“Some exposure visits which were planned for the next few days had to be cancelled by the department and schools have been told not to conduct any kind of picnic till further orders,” the source said.

On Tuesday night, some militants opened fire on security forces in Chattergala on Bhaderwah-Bani road in which five soldiers and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were injured.

All the traffic movement along the route was suspended and people were advised not to carry out any kind of visit to the upper reaches of Bhaderwah due to security reasons.

“I received a call from my family in the morning from Aligarh when they heard about the firefight in Bhaderwah area. They were quite frightened and advised not to venture out. It is for the first time since they heard about any kind of encounter in Doda district since I have been posted here,” a teacher of Kendriya Vidyalaya school said.

SRINAGAR — A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander among two militants have been killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Nehama area of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday.

A top police officer, quoted by the local news agency Kashmir Scroll, said that two militants including LeT commander Riyaz Ahmad Dar along with his associate have been killed by security forces in Nehama village of Pulwama.

He said that an encounter broke out in the area after security forces — a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF — started a search operation on credible inputs in the area.

As the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight. He said that during the exchange of fire, two militants were killed.

SRINAGAR — An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Nehama area of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday morning.

As per the reports from the local news agency GNS, a joint team of police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Nehama village.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.

A senior police officer also confirmed the exchange of firing between militants and security forces.

SRINAGAR — A gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in Redwani area of Kulgam on Monday evening.

According to the news agency KNO, police said that the joint operation is underway at Redwani Kulgam.

"Encounter has started in Redwani Payeen area of Kulgam district. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," a police spokesman said.

SRINAGAR — An unidentified militant has been killed after an encounter broke out in the wee hours between militants and security forces in Frasipora area of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday.

A top police officer quoted by the news agency GNS said that during the wee hours, input was received about the presence of some militants in the area.

As the joint team of army and police intensified the searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire on the search party, leading to an encounter, the officer said.

During the firefight, an unidentified militant's body has been sighted near the encounter spot, while searches in the area are underway, the top police added.

PULWAMA — A gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Frassipora area of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday.

A top police officer quoted by a local news agency said that a joint team of local police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Frassipora Pulwama.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight, the officer said.

Meanwhile, a top police officer also confirmed the exchange of firing between militants and security forces.

SRINAGAR — In a successful counter-operation, security forces thwarted an infiltration attempt by militants in the Uri area of Baramulla district on Friday, resulting in the death of two militants.

According to reliable sources cited by a local news agency, the infiltration bid occurred in Sabura Nala along the Uri border. Alert troops swiftly responded to the incursion, engaging the militants in a fierce exchange of fire.

Reports indicate that during the operation, security forces neutralized two militants, preventing any further advancement into the region. The identity of the deceased militants is currently under verification.

SHOPIAN — The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday morning confirmed that government forces engaged in a gunfight with militants in Chotigam area of Shopian district.

The joint operation involves Shopian Police, Army personnel, and CRPF forces as they work collaboratively to handle the situation.

Specific details regarding the identity of the militants, who are trapped in the area, were not immediately disclosed by the authorities.

The J&K Police's Twitter handle, Kashmir Zone Police, was the first to make the announcement about the ongoing operation. They stated, "#Encounter has started at Chotigam area of #Shopian district. Shopian Police, Army & CRPF are on the job. Further details shall follow."

It is pertinent to mention that security in the region has been a pressing concern, and encounters between security forces and militant elements have occurred sporadically in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — Security forces successfully thwarted an infiltration attempt along the International Border in the Khour sector of Akhnoor, resulting in the elimination of a militant.

An official, while speaking to a local news agency, disclosed that the intervention came following the suspected movement of four militants detected via surveillance devices during the intervening night.

He said that swift and precise measures were implemented, resulting in effective suppression of the infiltration bid. "Visual evidence confirms terrorists attempting to retreat, seen dragging one body back across the International Border," the official stated.

The security forces' swift action prevented the group's infiltration, with one intruder neutralized during the encounter.

JAMMU — Three men were found dead under suspicious circumstances on Friday near the site of an ambush by terrorists on two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district that left five soldiers dead and two injured the previous day, officials said.

The deceased were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday's attack at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station, the officials said.

They said Safeer Hussain (43), Mohammad Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32), all residents of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz, died under mysterious circumstances but the cause of their death was not known immediately.

Poonch Deputy Commissioner Choudhary Mohammad Yasin and Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar reached Bufliaz following the reports of the deaths of the three men while Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar is also heading for Surankote, the officials said.

Three to four heavily-armed terrorists targeted a Maruti Gypsy and a truck of the Army late Thursday afternoon, killing the five soldiers and injuring two.

After the attack, the terrorists reportedly mutilated the bodies of at least two soldiers and took the weapons of some of them.

POONCH — Director General of Police Rashmi Ranjan Swain arrived at the encounter site situated in the Surankote area of Poonch district, as confirmed by officials familiar with the situation.

According to sources quoted by a local news agency, the top-ranking police officer, accompanied by his subordinates, reached the site to evaluate the evolving scenario arising from the ongoing encounter.

During his visit, the police officer engaged in discussions with security forces overseeing the operation in the area. He provided strategic insights and guidance aimed at swiftly neutralizing the militants believed to be in hiding.

The encounter site along the DKG-Buffliaz road in Surankote witnessed a tragic incident where militants engaged security forces, resulting in the loss of five soldiers' lives, with two others currently receiving treatment following the intense firing.

SRINAGAR — In response to the recent attack in the Rajouri district of Jammu, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached the site where security forces are intensifying search efforts in the forested region of Dera Ki Gali.

Official sources disclosed that the army has apprehended several suspects from Dera Ki Gali, holding them for further investigation following the ambush of two army vehicles by heavily armed militants.

The area in the Rajouri district has been under intense scrutiny as security personnel continue a comprehensive search operation in the forest region. The attack, occurring a day earlier, resulted in the loss of five soldiers, with two others sustaining injuries amid the ongoing encounter.

The NIA's arrival signals an escalation in the investigation into the ambush and subsequent fatalities. The detained suspects are believed to have connections or potential involvement in the attack, prompting a thorough inquiry into the incident.

POONCH — A tense situation unfolded as five soldiers lost their lives and two sustained injuries during an ongoing encounter in Surankote, Poonch, officials confirmed today. The clash occurred during an anti-militancy operation in the Dera Ki Gali area on Thursday, with the soldiers coming under attack, as per initial reports from army officials.

The deceased soldiers were identified as Birendra Singh, Karan Kumar, Chandan Kumar, and Gautam Kumar. Meanwhile, Sundeep Kumar, Shyam Sundar Das, and Todmal Dnyaneshwar Bhaskarrav are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, revealed top officials.

The entire region remains under a cordon as security forces continue a meticulous search operation in the area. "The encounter site is cordoned off, and efforts are ongoing to neutralize the terrorists," officials stated.

Simultaneously, in an adjacent district of Kishtwar, security forces are intensively searching multiple residences. A senior police officer mentioned that this operation is being conducted in conjunction with the ongoing encounter in Surankote, Poonch. The officer emphasized that numerous houses are being thoroughly searched as part of these efforts.

The confluence of these two operations, one marred by casualties and injuries and the other involving meticulous house-to-house searches, signifies a heightened state of tension in the region. Authorities remain vigilant as they endeavour to maintain security and quell any potential threats amidst these operations.

The situation remains fluid as security forces aim to stabilize the area and ensure the safety of civilians while dealing with these parallel operations across Poonch and Kishtwar districts.