JCO killed in Kishtwar encounter

Jammu, Nov 10: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army’s Special Forces (2 Para) Sunday was killed in a fierce gunfight between security forces and terrorists hiding in Keshwan forests of Kishtwar district.

Police stated that there were three to four terrorists trapped as intensive operation continued to hunt them down.

This was the same group of terrorists, who had abducted and killed two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in Kuntwara forests of Kishtwar on November 7.

The encounter ensued this morning as contact was established by the security forces, engaged in a search operation to track those terrorists hiding in Kuntwara forests after killing VDGs. Hiding terrorists opened fire on security forces, who retaliated in equal measure, thus beginning an intense exchange of gunfire. One para commando sustained a fatal injury in action and he, later, succumbed.

Some news agencies quoting some anonymous officials stated that three soldiers (para commandos) also sustained injuries in the ongoing operation. However, neither the Army nor the Police officially confirmed it.

A senior Police officer, while responding to Greater Kashmir regarding the updated status of the encounter, though wishing anonymity, said, “Encounter is ongoing.” “No, I cannot confirm that,” was his brief answer, when asked if three soldiers sustained injuries also. “This was a search operation, going on since yesterday, when contact was established and a gunfight ensued,” he said, in reply to the query if it was an ambush.

Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the fatality of Para Commando in a post on ‘X’, paying homage to its fallen hero, identified as Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (Special Forces).

“#GOC #WhiteknightCorps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of #Braveheart, Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (SF). Sub Rakesh was part of a joint #CI operation launched in the general area of #Bhart Ridge #Kishtwar on 9 Nov 2024. We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” White Knight Corps posted along with a picture of its fallen soldier.

As the encounter ensued, the Police, in its official statement, said, “Encounter begins at Keshwan Kishtwar between terrorists and security forces. 3 or 4 terrorists (are) believed to be trapped. This is the same group which killed 2 innocent villagers.”

After some time, the Army’s White Knight Corps posted, “On November 10, 2024, based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by security forces in general area Bhart Ridge, Kishtwar. This is the same group which had abducted and killed 2 innocent villagers (Village Defence Guards) in the Kishtwar region two days back. Contact was established and a gunfight ensued. Operation is in progress,”

On November 7, two VDGs, Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar were blindfolded, abducted and killed by terrorists in the upper reaches of Ohli Kuntwara while they were grazing their livestock. The photographs of dead bodies were later shared by a terror outfit “Kashmir Tigers”- an offshoot of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), claiming responsibility for the killings.

Security forces recovered the bodies of slain VDGs in Kuntwara forests on November 8.

This afternoon, as an encounter ensued, "Kashmir Tigers" yet again claimed that it engaged Indian Army Commandos inflicting casualties.