Four Indian Army personnel killed during encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

Four Indian Army personnel lost their lives during an encounter with the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Wednesday (Nov 22). One soldier is undergoing treatment at a hospital, sources told WION.

A joint operation, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police,was being held at Bazi Mal Upper in the Dharamsal area near Gulabgarh forest in the morning during which a terrorist was also killed.

"Four Army personnel, including two officers and two soldiers, have lost their lives in an ongoing encounter with terrorists in Rajouri area of Jammu and Kashmir. Troops including Special Forces are deployed in the area after inputs were received about the movement of a group of terrorists in the area. 16 Corps Commander and Rashtriya Rifles’ Romeo Force commander are monitoring the operations closely. More details awaited,"16 Corps sources told WION.

An official confirmation onthe identities of the fallen soldiers and the number of casualties is still awaited.

A combing operation was launched in the morning after intelligence officials received inputs about some terrorists being holed up in the forest.

Police said that they received inputs about terrorist movements on Nov 19, following which a joint operation was launched in Rajouri. The security forces and the terrorists engaged with each other on Wednesday morning and an intense fight ensued.

"Based on specific intelligence Joint Operations launched in Kalakote Area'sGulabgarh forest, Rajouri district on Nov 19.Contact was established on Nov 22, and an intense firefight ensued. The terrorists have been injured and surrounded and operations are in progress, amidst acts of valour and sacrifice by our own bravehearts in trying to prevent collateral damage to women and children in the highest traditions of the Indian Army," it said in a statement.

It comes days after a terrorist was killed in a joint operation by J&K Police and security forces in the Rajouri district’s Budhal area on Friday.

An AK-47 rifle, three magazines, three grenades, and a pouch were recovered from the slain militant whose accomplices had, however, managed to escape.