5 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in J&K, 2 soldiers injured

Five terrorists were killed, and two soldiers injured after an encounter erupted between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday morning, officials said.

On Wednesday night, soon after receiving intelligence inputs about the presence of suspected terrorists at Kadder in the Behibagh area of the district, security forces launched a cordon and search operation. However, the situation turned around as a gun battle after terrorists opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated.

In a post on X, the Army’s Chinar Corps said, “On 19 December 24, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army & Jammu and Kashmir Police at Kader, Kulgam. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops, and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate and heavy volume of fire. Our own troops effectively retaliated.”

Earlier this month, a terrorist linked with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Dachigram area. The terrorist, Junaid Ahmed Bhat, was involved in the targeted killings of civilians in Gagangir, Ganderbal, and others.

Meanwhile, last month, the Union Home Ministry ordered a special task force of the National Security Guard (NSG), the country’s counter-terrorism unit, to be stationed in Jammu in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in the region, sources informed India Today TV.

This year, the Jammu region has experienced a sharp rise in terror attacks, impacting eight of its 10 districts. These incidents have claimed 44 lives, including 18 security personnel, 14 civilians, and 13 militants.