Security personnel patrol on March 28, 2025 in remote forest areas of Katua area, Chamu and Kashmir. Image source: PTI
Officials said security forces extended the ongoing search operations to new areas after the body of a fourth police officer and the bodies of two killed militants were found at a shooting scene in a remote forest area in the Katua region of Jamu and Kashmir, officials said.
They said the body of head police officer Jagbir Singh was retrieved from the forest of Ghati Juthana in Rajbagh and was transferred to Jamu, where a wreath laying ceremony for the deceased was held near the police headquarters Gulshan Ground.
Weapons and ammunition were restored in search operations in Katua area, Chamu and Kashmir on March 29, 2025 to track militants. Image source: PTI
Officials said the bodies of two Pakistani militants were believed to be affiliated with the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) costume and were found along with war-like shops.
J&K CM attends wreath laying ceremony
Jamu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended a wreath paving ceremony for a police officer on Saturday (March 29) that killed Pakistani militants in the Katua region during a two-day gun battle.
Jamu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tribute to J&K police officer HC Jagbir Singh, who died on March 29, 2025 during the Kathua encounter. Image source: PTI
Mr. Abdullah led the wreath laying ceremony for Jagbir Singh, the police postmaster at Jammu, police headquarters.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Satish Sharma Minister Satish Sharma, Police Department Nalin Prabhat and other senior civil, police, CRPF, BSF and Army officers also placed coffins containing the remains of the fallen police on the coffin.
“Rurious action since March 27”
The encounter in the area begins on the morning of Thursday (March 27) and continues throughout the day on Friday (March 28). A total of four police officers and two recently infiltrated militants were killed, while searches for other members of the terrorist group continued on Saturday (March 29).
Earlier, officials had placed the death toll of three lieutenant militants in three, but on Friday evening (March 28) police chief Nalin Prabhat clarified that only two militants and four policemen were killed during the encounter.
The bodies of three policemen – Balwinder Singh Chib, Jaswant Singh and Tariq Ahmed – were retrieved last night, and their wreath laying ceremony led by DGP was held in the Kathua area before handing over their bodies to their families.
Officials said security forces are disinfecting the scenes of the encounter, while search operations have expanded to adjacent areas including Billawar Heights to track and neutralize militants.
Large-scale operation tracking infiltration of terrorists in J&K enters day 4
A major combing operation is underway in the forest areas of Jamu and Kashmir to track down a group of infiltrating terrorists. The operation is now on the fourth day, triggered by a report by local women, who are two men in army uniforms traveling toward the forest. Security along the Jamu-Pathankot national highway has been strengthened, with a large-scale search of several kilometers from Sanyal to Ding Amb. The operation involves multiple agencies, including the Army, BSF, CRPF and NSG, and is supported by helicopters, drones and sniffing dogs. The search produced grenades, ammunition and track kits that matched the grenade kits worn by the terrorists that Jem terrorists encountered in past encounters. Three suspects have been detained for interrogation. The operation began after the gunfight with terrorists hiding in Saar Village nursery, and a search is underway to arrest the infiltration. Local villagers’ cooperation and security personnel joined forces to urge others to remain vigilant. | Video source: Hindu
Officials said gunfire and deafening explosions were also heard near the scene of the encounter this morning, but later clarified that security forces were intentional, as part of the counter-terrorism strategy, the explosion was caused by the disposal of the garbage explosive material.
“Since March 27, relentless action has led to two militants and the resumption of war-like shops. The action continues,” said the Army’s rising star army.
The DGP confirmed that it was the same group of militants who had earlier intercepted in the village of Saniyal near the international border of the Hylanagar region on the evening of March 23, but managed to escape, determined that his troops would ensure that all terrorist organizations were properly handled.
J&K’s Kathua encounters terrorists into the second day
The search for Kathua invasion of terrorists has entered its second day. Led by DGP Nalin Prabhat, security forces deployed other commandos, drones and sniffing dogs to find terrorists hiding in dense jungles near the border. Villagers reported sightings and a gunfight exploded on Sunday. The region remains highly alert as forces work to offset the threat. Watch the latest updates about this development operation. | Video source: Hindu
Speaking to reporters after a wreath laying ceremony in Katua on Friday evening (March 28), DGP said their losses would not be compensated by words but by actions.
“None of the intentions of the J&K police officers are weakened, and none of our goals are far away from us. Our goals are clear and therefore no passion. Because the J&K police are the only force in the country to write its history in golden words through its courage and sacrifice.
“We will not sleep or rest as long as our impure neighbors [Pakistan] and [terror] The organization did not handle it properly. This war is ongoing and will continue. Our intentions will not be diluted. ” said the police chief.
publishing – March 29, 2025 01:43 pm ist
