Indian security forces kill Pakistani terrorist in an encounter in J&K's Kathua

Security forces on Friday neutralised a foreign terrorist during an ongoing counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a cordon-and-search operation on January 23 in the Parhetar area, located in a dense forest zone of the district. During the prolonged operation, security forces established contact with a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist.

"Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Joint Operation was launched by Army and Police on 23 Jan 26 in the general area Parhetar, #Kathua. Area was Cordoned and contact established. In a precise strike by the joint forces, 1 Foreign Terrorist has been eliminated. Search operations are continuing , " said the Indian Army.

A US-made M4 rifle along with ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. Search operations are still underway in the area. Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified combing operations across forested and border regions to rule out the presence of any additional terrorists and to ensure the safety of civilians.

A gunfight had broken out earlier this week between security forces and terrorists in Kishtwar district of Jammu division, extending a four-day operation in the Chatru forest area. The encounter began on Monday after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of three to four terrorists, who lobbed a grenade towards security forces during a search operation, injuring three soldiers, one of whom later died. Security forces, including the Indian Army, paramilitary units, and Jammu and Kashmir police, continued the operation using drones and helicopters to monitor the dense terrain.