A Village Defence Guard (VDG) member tragically lost his life in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district. The encounter took place early Sunday, prompting a massive search operation to eliminate the terrorists believed to have recently infiltrated from Pakistan, according to officials.
The incident unfolded in Panara village of Basantgarh when a patrolling party comprising police and VDGs encountered the suspected terrorists around 7:45 am. After an initial exchange of fire lasting over half an hour, the terrorists escaped into the forest, triggering a pursuit by security forces.
Mohd Sharief, a VDG member from Khaned, sustained critical injuries during the gunfire and later succumbed to his wounds. The security grid in Basantgarh police station limits had been activated following intelligence about suspicious movement, leading to the confrontation with the terrorists.
The Special Operations Group of police, along with Army and CRPF units, swiftly mobilized to strengthen the cordon and neutralize the terrorists. Official sources indicated that there were reports of two separate groups of terrorists infiltrating from Kathua to Basantgarh, with one group confronted by security forces while the other remained elusive.
The terrorists, numbering five in one group and four in the other, are suspected to be on a route from Kathua to Kashmir via Chenab valley, exploiting the dense forest cover for their movement. The Army deployed Special Forces in the forest area and initiated a comprehensive search operation to locate and neutralize the terrorists, although there have been no recent contacts with them.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in combating terrorism and maintaining peace in the region. The sacrifice of Mohd Sharief serves as a stark reminder of the risks endured by those on the front lines in safeguarding communities against terrorist threats.
Sources By Agencies
