Four Indian Army Personnel Killed as Rajouri Encounter Continues for Second Day

Srinagar: The encounter between militants and security forces continued for the second day on Thursday in the Gulabgarh forest of Kalakote area in Jammu’s Rajouri district, where at least four Indian Army soldiers, including two officers, were killed earlier yesterday, officials said. 

According to a statement from the 16 Corps of the Indian Army, the forces had launched a joint operation based on specific intelligence on November 19. 

“Contact was established on November 22, and an intense firefight ensued. The terrorists have been injured and surrounded, and operations are in progress, amidst acts of valour and sacrifice by own bravehearts in trying to prevent collateral damage to women and children in the highest traditions of Indian Army,” an Army spokesperson said. 

The operation continued amidst the exchange of fire between the two sides along the border district, which witnessed the killing of five Army soldiers in an earlier attack on May 5.  

According to the official sources, the forces, including the Special Forces, have been deployed in the area, and the Jammu and Kashmir police and the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have also cordoned off the entire area to thwart any attempts of escape by the militants.  

"The 16 Corps Commander and Rashtriya Rifles' Romeo Force commander are monitoring the operations closely," reports suggested.

The incident has drawn condemnations from the political leadership of the region, including the three former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

“Today in Rajouri, we lost two brave officers and two jawans in the line of duty fighting for our better and secure tomorrow while one soldier is critically injured. My heart goes out to the families of these brave hearts who share their grief. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured one. Terrorism is a curse against humanity and deserves the strongest condemnation!” former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote on X. 

President of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti, whilst condemning the attack, also slammed the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) led government for mishandling the situation and projecting normalcy in the region, she alleged, is a facade.  

“Heartbreaking to see officers and jawans lose their lives in the line of duty despite GOIs misleading false claims that all is well in J&K. The price of this facade is being borne by them and innocent civilians who’ve become collateral damage in unabated violence. My deepest sympathies with their families and loved ones,” Mufti wrote on X. 

National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah, while sending his condolences to the bereaved family members of the soldiers, also pointed towards the attempts being made to flare up the situation in the Pir Panjal areas. Rajouri and Poonch areas witnessed a long period of lull after the 1990s but have emerged as a hotspot of violent militant attacks in the past few years. Thursday’s encounter is the third major militancy-related incident reported from the region in which at least 14 soldiers have been killed. 

“Terrible news from Rajouri where four army personnel, including two officers, have laid down their lives in the line of duty. While condemning the continuing efforts to spread militancy into hitherto peaceful areas of the Pir Panchal region, I send my sincere condolences to the families of those who offered the ultimate sacrifice today,” Abdullah wrote on X. 

Earlier, in an encounter in the Kandi Forest of Rajouri, at least five Indian Army soldiers were killed, an incident which was reported about fifteen days after an attack in neighbouring Poonch’s Bhimber Gali led to the killing of five Army personnel.