Army JCO Martyred, 3 Soldiers Injured in Fierce Gunfight with Terrorists in Kishtwar
Jammu, Nov 10: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) from the Army’s elite special forces, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, was martyred, and three soldiers sustained critical injuries in a fierce encounter with terrorists in the Keshwan forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials confirmed. The gunfight unfolded in a remote, densely forested area, where a joint search operation was underway following the brutal killings of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs), Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, whose bullet-riddled bodies were discovered last week.
The Army’s White Knight Corps launched the operation based on intelligence inputs regarding terrorist presence in Bhart Ridge, Kishtwar. “This is the same group responsible for abducting and killing two innocent villagers,” read an official post from White Knight Corps on X. Around 11 am, security forces, including special forces of the Army and local police units, intercepted the group, leading to a prolonged and intense gun battle.
In the initial exchange of gunfire, four Army personnel, including Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para, sustained serious injuries and were evacuated to a nearby military hospital. Unfortunately, Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar succumbed to his injuries, and the other three soldiers continue to receive medical care, with their condition reported as critical.
The White Knight Corps expressed solemn respect for the fallen soldier, declaring, “GOC (General Officer Commanding) White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart, Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para (SF). We stand in solidarity with his bereaved family during this hour of grief.”
Security forces intensified their search operation in the Kuntwara and Keshwan forests after Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar were abducted and killed by suspected terrorists earlier in the week. Officials confirmed that “three or four terrorists are believed to be trapped” as the encounter remains ongoing.
This encounter underscores the ongoing threat in the region, even as security forces work to secure remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir, countering efforts to destabilize the region. Authorities have assured that the hunt for the perpetrators will continue as security teams work tirelessly to bring peace to the communities affected by recent violence.
