A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) belonging to the Army’s special forces was killed in a confrontation with terrorists on Sunday in a secluded forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. The operation is part of an intensified security effort following the recent murder of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs), which has heightened tensions and prompted a more aggressive response from the military.
The deceased soldier has been identified as Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of the 2 Para regiment. The Army has paid tribute to his ultimate sacrifice. The encounter began around 11 am when joint teams from the Army and local police engaged with the terrorists in the Keshwan forest, not far from where the bodies of the two VDGs, Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, were recently found.
The security forces launched a significant search operation in the Kuntwara and Keshwan forests following the abduction and subsequent murder of the VDGs. The Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps announced the operation through a post on X, detailing the intelligence that led to the confrontation. The statement indicated that the security forces were acting on specific information regarding the terrorists believed to be involved in the earlier killings of the villagers.
According to officials, the initial gunfight resulted in injuries to four Army personnel, including the JCO. They were promptly evacuated to a nearby hospital, where the condition of three soldiers was reported to be critical. Unfortunately, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar later succumbed to his injuries. The General Officer Commanding of the White Knight Corps and all ranks of the Army expressed their condolences, emphasizing their support for the bereaved family.
A police spokesperson confirmed an ongoing encounter with the terrorists connected to the earlier attacks on the VDGs, indicating that three or four suspects were believed to be trapped in the vicinity. Authorities continued their extensive search operations as the situation developed. The tragic incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the bravery of those serving in the armed forces.
