J&K: 3 soldiers dead in encounter with terrorists in Kulgam
What's the story
At least three army personnel reportedly lost their lives in an encounter with terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). According to the Indian Army, the encounter broke out on Friday evening based on some detailed information about the presence of terrorists in the Halan forests. Notably, this was a joint operation conducted by the police and army.
Details
Details on encounter at Kulgam
According to reports, the security personnel came under heavy firing from the terrorists as they zeroed in. The army also confirmed that reinforcements were rushed to the spot, and a search operation is underway to catch the terrorists. It's worth noting that this new incident comes only a day before J&K marks four years of the abrogation of Article 370.
More details
Search operations are continuing: Army
Providing a detailed update on the matter, the Indian Army took to Twitter and said, "On specific inputs regarding presence of terrorists on higher reaches of Halan in Kulgam, operations launched by Security Forces on August 4, 2023." "In exchange of firing with terrorists, three personnel sustained injuries and later succumbed. Search operations are continuing," it added.
Twitter Post
Twitter post by Indian Army
Operation Halan #Kulgam
— Chinar Corps🍁 - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) August 4, 2023
On specific inputs regarding presence of terrorists on higher reaches of Halan in Kulgam, operations launched by Security Forces on 04 Aug 23. In exchange of firing with terrorists, three personnel sustained injuries and later succumbed.
Search operations… pic.twitter.com/NJ3DZa2OpK
Know more
Official provides key details on encounter
Meanwhile, an official spoke to PTI and revealed that the "search operation" turned into an "encounter" after terrorists fired at the army personnel. "The search operation turned into an encounter after terrorists fired at the security forces, and they retaliated," the official said. "In the exchange of fire, three security forces personnel were injured, and they succumbed during treatment," added the official.
Twitter Post
Visuals from Kulgam district of J&K
#WATCH | J&K | Encounter underway at high reaches of Halan forest area of Kulgam district. Army & Kulgam Police are carrying out the operation. Three jawans injured and evacuated to hospital for treatment.
— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2023
(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/4cAe93jiHe
Further information
Over 250 'terrorist-initiated' incidents happened in J&K in 3 years
According to The Indian Express, 251 "terrorist-initiated" incidents occurred in J&K between January 2021 and May 30, 2023. Of this, 236 were in the Kashmir Valley and 15 in the three Jammu districts. While Jammu reported two incidents in 2021, 10 in 2022, and three in 2023 (until May 30), the Valley has witnessed 129 in 2021, 100 in 2022, and seven this year.