Two Indian soldiers were martyred in a fierce gunbattle with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Friday. The martyred soldiers were identified as Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar and Sepoy Arvind Singh, according to a tribute post by the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, which honored their bravery and sacrifice.
The encounter in Kishtwar’s Chatroo area erupted after security forces, acting on intelligence, launched a joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Contact with the terrorists was established at approximately 3:30 PM. During the ensuing gunfight, Naib Subedar Kumar and Sepoy Singh were martyred in action. The operation remains active, and sources indicate that the terrorists involved in this incident were also linked to a deadly attack in Doda in July, where four soldiers, including an officer, were martyred.
Late on Friday night, another encounter erupted in the Chak Tapper Kreeri Pattan area of Baramulla district, where security forces launched an operation against militants. Officials confirmed that three terrorists, including two foreign militants, were killed during the ongoing operation. The security forces had intelligence that two to three terrorists were hiding in the area, and the Kashmir Zone Police stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Encounter has started at Chak Tapper Kreeri Pattan area of Baramulla. Police and security forces are on the job.” The encounter is part of intensified counter-terrorism operations across the region.
In a separate operation, troops from the Rising Star Corps eliminated two terrorists in Kathua. The encounter occurred amidst growing security concerns as Jammu and Kashmir gears up for the crucial election period.
These encounters have escalated just days before voting is set to begin in eight assembly constituencies across the Chenab Valley’s Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, as well as 16 seats in South Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam districts on September 18. These areas have a history of unrest, and security forces are on high alert to ensure a peaceful election process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir today, amid the political buildup to the elections. Voting in the Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts will take place during the second and third phases on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Security forces are continuing their operations to prevent any disruptions as the state prepares for the crucial polls.
