1 terrorist killed; another trapped in Hiranagar encounter

Jammu, June 11: One terrorist was killed by security forces while another was trapped in an encounter that broke out, after they (terrorists) forcibly tried to enter houses and opened firing on the people in village Saida Sukhal near Koota Morh in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district on Tuesday evening.

One civilian also sustained injuries in his arm in the firing by terrorists. However, his situation is stated to be stable.

This was confirmed by Additional Director General of Police Jammu zone Anand Jain on ‘X’ also.

Terrorists, presumably part of a freshly infiltrated group, struck this village on the International Border (IB) within three days after a bus, carrying mainly out-station pilgrims from Shiv Khori shrine on its way to Katra, was ambushed (by terrorists) in Reasi district.

“1 militant neutralised, 1 civilian also got injured, who is out of danger now, while the operation is still going on and the senior officers are on the spot. @JmuKmrPolice @ZPHQJammu,” Kathua Police posted on ‘X’ late this evening.

A police spokesperson said, “Two terrorists (who appeared to have freshly infiltrated) surfaced in the village Saida Sukhal near Koota Morh of Police Station Hira Nagar in the late evening of June 11. They asked for water from a few houses to which villagers grew suspicious and slammed the doors on them and a few raised hue and cry. The terrorists panicked and fired randomly in the air and also at one odd villager, who was passing by. SHO Hiranagar and SDPO rushed to the spot engaged the terrorists and one terrorist got killed while lobbing a grenade at the police party.”

“Search for the other terrorist is on.  Police with the help of CRPF have cordoned the area. A search party is clearing the houses one by one. So far, one family, comprising husband and wife, has been evacuated to hospital. While the wife is unhurt, the husband Omkar Nath son of Dina Nath is injured in the arm and appears to be stable,” spokesperson said.

Earlier, the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also the Member Parliament from Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency stated that he was in constant touch with the civil and police authorities on this account.

“I’m in continuous online contact with DC#Kathua Sh Rakesh Minhas in the wake of a terrorist attack on a house in village Saida in Hiranagar sector, close to the International Border. I am also in touch with SSP Kathua Sh Anayat Ali Choudhary, who is on the spot,” Dr Jitendra posted on ‘X’.

“The owner of the house that was attacked (name not to be disclosed) is also in touch on mobile phone. Joint police & para military operation is going on. One terrorist neutralised so far. I and my office are in constant touch and keeping a close watch on the developments,” his post read.

Meanwhile, SSP Kathua Anayat Ali, while responding to media queries, rubbished the reports about civilians being taken hostage by terrorists. “There is no civilian casualty and there is no hostage like situation,” he said.

Later, Additional Director General of Police Jammu zone Anand Jain, too, issued a warning note, cautioning against rumour-mongering and spread of fake news.

“It has come to our attention that a significant amount of fake news is circulating on social media (local). These false reports claim that three dead bodies of civilians have been recovered from a certain site and that the terrorists have taken some villagers hostage,” ADGP posted on ‘X’.

“We urge the public to remain calm and not to believe or spread such baseless rumours. If left unchecked, this misinformation could lead to major law and order issues in Jammu city tomorrow,” he said.

“To address this matter and prevent any potential unrest, the district police and the Additional Director General (ADG) of Jammu will issue an official statement via Twitter shortly. We request everyone to stay informed through verified sources and to refrain from sharing unverified information. Your cooperation is crucial in maintaining peace and order in our community,” ADGP posted.

Late evening, a police spokesperson reiterated a request to not indulge in rumour-mongering.

“Members of the general public who are respected citizens are requested to wait for authentic information and not indulge in spreading different narratives that are unverified. This is a national security challenge posed by hostile elements from across and instead of engaging the police in law order management, dear citizens are requested to assist and cooperate with the police in completing the operation logically and successfully so that the terrorists are killed and simultaneously the injured (if found) are evacuated for treatment,” the spokesperson urged.