Paratrooper injured in Kishtwar encounter

Jammu, Nov 5: An army paratrooper sustained injuries in an exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists in an encounter that erupted in Kalaban forests of Chhatroo area in Kishtwar district on Wednesday.

The injured paratrooper has been identified as Agniveer Kapil Kumar of 11 RR.

Officials stated that the paratrooper, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was immediately shifted to the Command Hospital Udhampur, where his condition was stated to be stable.

The encounter, according to officials, broke out when the army and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) launched a joint search operation following an intelligence input.

During the search operation, the security forces established contact with the terrorists, and in the ensuing exchange of fire, one of the army paratroopers was injured.

Two to three terrorists are presumed to be trapped in the cordon, which has been further strengthened.

Till late evening, there was no fresh contact between security forces and terrorists; however, the operation continued with the reinforcement rushed to the area, officials said.

Earlier, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps stated, “In an intelligence-based operation, in concert with the JKP, in early morning hours today, alert troops of White Knight Corps have established contact with terrorists in the general area of Chhatru. Fire exchanged with terrorists. Operation is in progress.”

Earlier in April this year, three terrorists were neutralised during an intense firefight in Chhatroo.

Later, on September 21, Keshwan forest area of Kishtwar too witnessed an encounter; however, the terrorists managed to flee after an initial heavy exchange of fire with the security forces.