Jammu & Kashmir

Armed forces intensify search for militants in kishtwar after army officer’s killing

An armed forces personnel stands deployed in JK's border area. [FPK Photo/ Vikar Syed].

Jammu: Armed forces continued their search operation in the dense forests of Keshwan and surrounding areas in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Monday, following the killing of an army officer in a military operation.

The search, ongoing for over four days, aims to locate the militants who abducted and killed two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) last Thursday.

Sunday’s confrontation began around 11am when joint Army and police search teams encountered the militants in the Keshwan forest, sparking an intense exchange of fire lasting over four hours.

During the clash, Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of the Army’s 2 Para unit lost his life, and three others were injured.

Officials reported no further contact with the militants since the operation on Sunday.

Three to four militants, believed to be involved in the VDG killings, remain in hiding as armed forces press on with a large-scale search to locate them. Dense vegetation and difficult terrain have posed challenges for personnel tracking down the militants, PTI reported.

Last Thursday evening, militants abducted VDG members Nazir Ahamed and Kuldeep Kumar, later killing them in the Kuntwara forest nearby.

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