Three J&K policemen, 3 Pak-origin militants killed in Kathua gunfight
Jammu 28 March 2025: In a fierce gunfight in the Ghati Juthana area of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, three police personnel and three militants of Pakistani origin were killed. The encounter, which lasted several hours, also left five security personnel injured, including a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO). The operation was part of an intensified effort to neutralize infiltrators in the region.
The Encounter Unfolds
Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces launched a combing operation in the forested area near Jakhole village. The militants, believed to be highly trained and carrying sophisticated weapons, opened fire on the advancing forces. The initial exchange of gunfire resulted in injuries to several personnel, including Special Police Officer Bharat Chalotra, who was later hospitalized in stable condition.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), the Army, BSF, and CRPF. Advanced surveillance tools such as drones, UAVs, and sniffer dogs were deployed to track the militants, who had reportedly infiltrated from across the Pakistan border.
Casualties and Sacrifices
The encounter claimed the lives of three brave police personnel, including a head constable and two constables, who were among the first to engage the militants. Their sacrifice underscores the grave challenges faced by security forces in combating terrorism in the region. The militants, identified as members of a Pakistan-based group, were neutralized during the operation.
Ongoing Operations and Security Measures
The encounter is part of a larger crackdown on infiltration routes in Kathua, which has become a key entry point for militants attempting to reach other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces have intensified their vigilance along the International Border, with additional reinforcements and surveillance measures in place.
Officials suspect that the militants involved in the Kathua encounter were part of the same group that had evaded capture during an earlier operation in the Hiranagar sector. Evidence recovered from the site includes ammunition, grenades, and materials for making IEDs.
Community and Official Reactions
The Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, commended the bravery of the personnel involved in the operation and emphasized the need for continued vigilance. Local residents, who alerted authorities to suspicious movements in the area, have been praised for their cooperation.
The encounter has once again highlighted the persistent threat of cross-border infiltration and the critical role of security forces in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
