Foreign terrorists disrupting peace in J&K: NAC
Web Story Desk
Rajouri: Two terrorists were shot dead by security forces during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. An army personnel was also killed, and three others were injured in the encounter that has been going on since Tuesday evening.
A six-year-old female Labrador named Kent from the Army’s dog unit also died during the gunfight.
Additional Director General of Police (Jammu Zone) Mukesh Singh said that a gunfight broke out between terrorists and soldiers during the search operation in Narla village.
“A terrorist and an Army soldier were killed, while three security personnel—two Army jawans and one special police officer—were injured in the gunfight,” he said.
According to the army, a joint operation to monitor and track the movements of two terrorists was launched by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on September 7, 2023.
The army cordoned off the terrorists, and a heavy firefight ensued on September 12, 2023, wherein one terrorist was killed on the same night. Despite bad weather and hostile terrain, the second terrorist was pursued and neutralised on the morning of September 13 after heavy firing throughout the night, the army said in a statement.
The border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed several encounters this year, resulting in the deaths of about 26 terrorists and 10 security personnel.
Meanwhile, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi said on Wednesday that terrorists are now entering the state through alternative routes, including Nepal and Punjab. This marks a shift from their traditional route along the Line of Control (LoC).
Speaking to reporters here as per The Web Story, he said the army has been active in countering these attempts and recently foiled infiltration bids in Poonch and Rajouri. However, the latest tactics pose a new challenge for the security forces, as it is easier for terrorists to blend in with the local population when entering through other borders.
He said that the army has killed foreign terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri while foiling infiltration bids. “But they are now coming by road from Nepal and Punjab to foment trouble and disrupt the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in J&K.”,
Talking about Tuesday’s operation in which a soldier was killed besides a trained army dog called Kent, the Lt. General said that Kent saved his handlers during the anti-militancy operation at Rajouri.
The increased attempts to disrupt peace in the region come at a time when J&K is witnessing a surge in tourism. The state has been working to attract visitors and revive its tourism industry, which has suffered due to the ongoing conflict.
