BUNTY MAHAJAN
JAMMU, NOVEMBER 22: Two officers and a JCO were among four army men killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bazi Mal area of Kalakote in border Rajouri district.
Three of the deceased Army men have been identified as Captain MV Pranjal of 63 Rashtriya Rifles, Captain Shubham and Havildar Majid, both 9 PARA.
The injured Major Mehra of 9 PARA has been evacuated to Command Hospital at Udhampur and his condition is stated to be stable.
Army’s White Knight Corps on X (formerly Twitter) said “Based on specific intelligence Joint Operations launched in #Kalakote
Area #Gulabgarh forest #Rajouri, District on 19 Nov 23”.
“Contact established on 22 Nov and intense firefight ensued. The terrorists have been injured and surrounded and operations are in progress, amidst acts of valour and sacrifice by own bravehearts in trying to prevent collateral damage to women and children in the highest traditions of #IndianArmy,” it said, adding
“#Whiteknightcorps salutes the supreme sacrifice”.
The militants, who are believed to be in 5-6 in numbers, appear to be a fresh group having recently infiltrated from across the Line of Control, sources said, adding that the police and security forces had already launched a cordon and search operation .
The encounter started after militants opened fire on a joint search party of police and security forces who had launched a cordon and search operation in the area for the past many days.
Earlier, on Friday, one militant was killed in a joint operation by J&K Police and security forces in the Rajouri district’s Budhal area. An AK-47 rifle, three magazines, three grenades and a pouch were recovered from the slain militant whose accomplices had, however, managed to escape.
Two militants on Sunday had reportedly visited a house in the Bazi Mal area and asked for food. The security forces reached the area following information, but the militants had escaped by then.
On Tuesday, militants had beaten up a Gujjar after he refused to give them food. The Gujjar, too, had reported the incident to security forces.