Jammu-Kishtwar, Jan 19: Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Indian Army’s Special Forces was martyred after sustaining serious injuries in an encounter with militants in the forest area of Chatroo in Kishtwar district.
The encounter took place on Sunday night during a search operation. Havildar Singh was critically injured in the exchange of fire and later passed away while undergoing treatment.
Paying tribute, the White Knight Corps said the brave soldier made the supreme sacrifice while fighting militants during Operation TRASHI-I in the Singpura area. The Army praised his courage and dedication to duty and expressed deep condolences to his family.
Officials said eight Army personnel were injured in the initial firing. After the incident, security forces strengthened the cordon and intensified the operation in the area.
Meanwhile, security forces also busted a terrorist hideout in the Chatroo forest area. “A significant quantity of food and daily-use supplies was recovered, indicating the terrorists’ prolonged presence in the region,” officials said.
A high-alert has also been sounded in the Kishtwar and adjoining areas following the fierce encounter, with cordon and search operation extended to nearby areas.
They said that the security forces have also deployed drones, sniffer dogs and helicopters to track and flush out the hiding terrorists in the forested area. “Senior officials of the Army, Police and CRPF are also present at the site to monitor the ongoing operation, while security forces have been maintaining a strict surveillance in the area to ensure terrorists don’t escape or regroup, officials said.
Report : Mansoor Qadir, J&K.
