In Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, security forces are intensifying their search operations in the dense forests of Keshwan and surrounding areas, following a tragic incident where an Army officer lost his life during a confrontation with terrorists. This ongoing operation comes as part of a concerted effort to find those responsible for the abduction and murder of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) last Thursday.
The search initiatives have been underway for over four days, as the military and police forces work in tandem to locate the terrorists believed to be involved in these heinous acts. The situation escalated dramatically on Sunday when a joint search team encountered the terrorists around 11 a.m. in the Keshwan forest area, prompting an intense gunfight that lasted over four hours.
The engagement resulted in the death of Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, a Junior Commissioned Officer with the Army’s 2 Para unit. Additionally, three other soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of fire. Since the encounter on Sunday, officials have reported that there has been no further contact with the terrorists. However, sources indicate that between three to four militants, implicated in the killings of the VDGs, remain hidden in the area, leading to a robust and expansive search operation aimed at neutralizing the threat.
Challenges persist for the security personnel as they navigate the challenging terrain, where thick foliage and difficult geographical features hinder their progress. Despite these obstacles, the forces are committed to tracking down the terrorists and restoring security to the region.
The series of events began last Thursday evening, when militants abducted two Village Defence Guards, Nazir Ahamed and Kuldeep Kumar, from the vicinity and executed them in the nearby Kuntwara forest. The brutal act has heightened tensions in the region and underscored the ongoing security challenges faced by local forces.
As the search operations continue, the local community remains on edge, anxiously awaiting further developments in the pursuit of justice for the murdered VDGs and safety from the lurking threats in the area.
