Jammu

Kathua Encounter: Militant, J&K Police HC killed; DySP Operations, ASI injured

JAMMU (KIMS) — A militant and Head Constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed while DySP Operations and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) suffered injuries in an encounter in Kathua district of Jammu division.

The encounter broke out between joint team of security forces and militants at Rasana village in Billawar area of Kathua district on Saturday evening.

During the initial stage of encounter, Head Constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Bashir Ahmed was critically injured, later he succumbed to his injuries. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Operations, Sukhbir Singh, and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Niaz are undergoing treatment at hospital.

The operation was halted for night due to darkness. On Sunday morning, the operation resumed after which a militant was killed. The search for the another militant was going on till this report was being filed.

Earlier, a joint team of security forces including Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF had launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation (CASO) at Rasana village in Kathua district following the inputs about presence of militants in the area.

As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, R R Swain offered condolences to the family of Head Constable Bashir Ahmed who sacrificed his life in an encounter with foreign militants in Kathua district.

Expressing his deep sorrow over the martyrdom of brave policeman Bashir Ahmed, DGP Swain said, “The entire police force stands behind his family and would continue to do so in future.”

“While the J&K police force cannot bring back Head Constable Bashir Ahmed, but it undertakes to extend every possible support to the family and avenge the martyrdom of the courageous officer who did not fear even death when it came to protecting his community and his countrymen. He gave hell to the foreign militants with his LMG before succumbing to his injuries,” he said.

The DGP also prayed for the speedy recovery of other injured security personnel. — (KIMS)