Tragic Loss: Four Army Personnel, Including Two Captains, Martyred in Rajouri Encounter with Terrorists; Two Others Injured
22-11-2023 : In a tragic incident unfolding in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, four Army personnel, including two captains, were martyred, and two others sustained injuries during a fierce encounter with terrorists. The encounter took place in the Bajimaal area of Dharmsal, initiated as a part of a cordon-and-search operation jointly conducted by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The casualties included two captains, a havildar, and a jawan, all of whom lost their lives in the line of duty. Additionally, a major and another jawan were injured during the intense firefight and have been evacuated to the Army’s Command Hospital in Udhampur for medical treatment.
The operation, aimed at neutralizing two trapped terrorists, began following specific intelligence inputs in the Kalakote area of Gulabgarh forest in Rajouri. The encounter, marked by intense gunfire, started on November 22, with the security forces making efforts to prevent collateral damage to civilians, especially women and children, in adherence to the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
The White Knight Corps of the Army, in a statement on social media, highlighted the valiant efforts of the soldiers, noting that the terrorists had been injured and surrounded. The Corps saluted the supreme sacrifice made by its bravehearts.
The ongoing cordon-and-search operation, which commenced on Sunday, has disrupted normal life in the affected area, with local residents being asked to stay indoors. The operation intensified after the encounter, with additional troops being deployed to address the security situation.
Reports indicate that the trapped terrorists, suspected to be foreign nationals, had been moving in the area since Sunday, even seeking refuge in a place of worship. The encounter site in Bajimaal has witnessed continuous gunfire, creating a tense atmosphere for the nearby villagers.
This recent incident follows closely on the heels of a gunfight in Behrote, Budhal area, on November 17, where one terrorist was killed. The twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, along with nearby Reasi district, have seen a concerning number of terrorism-related incidents, resulting in 46 recorded deaths since the beginning of the year. The security forces continue to remain vigilant in their efforts to curb terrorism in the region.
