Jammu and Kashmir: Four Army personnel, including two Captains, killed in Rajouri encounter

Four Army personnel, including two Captains, were killed in an encounter that broke out between militants and joint forces of the Army on Wednesday.

Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir):Four Army personnel including a Captain, were killed in action in the ongoing encounter in the Baji Mall forests area of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir. Two militants were trapped in an encounter with security forces in Rajouri’s Kalakote area earlier in the day, police had said.

Defence sources said that four Army personnel lost life in the encounter in the initial gunfire during the encounter. Army officials said that based on specific intelligence joint operations were launched in Kalakote Area Gulabgarh forest in Rajouri on November 19, 2023.

"Contact was established on November 22 and an intense firefight ensued. The terrorists have been injured and surrounded and operations are in progress, amidst acts of valour and sacrifice by brave hearts in trying to prevent collateral damage to women and children in the highest traditions of the Indian Army," they added.

Those who lost their lives in the encounter have been identified as Capt MV Pranjal - (63 RR/ Signals) and his body has been evacuated. Capt Shubham (9 PARA (SF) and his body are yet to be evacuated, Havaldar Majid, 9 PARA (SF) and his body is yet to be evacuated. The identity of one Army personnel was yet to be ascertained. One Major Mehra of the 9 PARA (SF) was evacuated to Command Hospital in Udhampur and his condition is stated to be stable.

The encounter broke out between militants and joint forces of the Army and J-K Police in the Bajimaal area of Dharmsal following a cordon and search operation, police said. The encounter began after the Indian Army's special forces and police launched a joint operation following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the forest area.

The Pir Panjal forest in Jammu and Kashmir has proved to be a challenge for the security forces in the last few years following a series of encounters. The terrorists use the dense forests to conceal their positions, taking advantage of the topography.