In a tragic turn of events, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) from the Army’s special forces lost his life during an intense gunfight with terrorists in the remote forested areas of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday. The conflict unfolded against the backdrop of heightened security operations following the brutal murder of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the region.
The deceased soldier has been identified as Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar from the 2 Para regiment. The Army honored his sacrifice, emphasizing the bravery and commitment he displayed during the operation. The encounter began around 11 am when joint search teams from the Army and local police engaged the terrorists hiding in Keshwan forest, which is located just a few kilometers from where the bodies of the VDGs, Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, were recently discovered.
In response to the alarming situation following the killings of the VDGs, a large-scale search operation was initiated in the Kuntwara and Keshwan forests. The operation commenced on Thursday evening after the villagers were reportedly abducted and murdered by the same group of terrorists.
According to the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, the security forces acted on specific intelligence that pointed to the presence of terrorists in the Bhart Ridge area of Kishtwar. In a statement on X, they reported, “This is the same group which had abducted and killed 02 (two) innocent villagers (Village Defence Guards). Contact was established and a firefight ensued.”
During the initial confrontation, four Army personnel, including the JCO, sustained injuries and were subsequently evacuated to a medical facility. Officials later stated that while three of the injured soldiers were in critical condition, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The General Officer Commanding of the White Knight Corps and all ranks of the Army expressed their condolences for the loss of the brave soldier. In a tweet, they remarked, “We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” illustrating the strong sense of camaraderie and support within the ranks.
Additionally, a police spokesperson confirmed that the encounter was ongoing, noting that three or four terrorists were believed to be trapped in the vicinity, intensifying the urgency of the operation. As the situation developed, the search operation continued meticulously, with local security forces determined to root out the threat posed by terrorism in the area. Reports indicated that the operation remained active until the last updates were received, highlighting the challenges faced by security forces in ensuring the safety of local communities.
