(PTI photo) NEW DELHI: The bodies of three Jammu and Kashmir policemen killed in an encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were recovery on Friday, as the gunfight in Jammu's Kathua district stretched into its second day. The fourth policeman's body was located in the morning, but retrieval efforts were delayed as two terrorists continued firing from an elevated position. The encounter began on Thursday in Jakhole village, Ghati Juthana area, after security forces launched an operation against recently infiltrated terrorists from across the International Border.
So far, four policemen and three terrorists have been killed, while seven security personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), have been injured. Heavy gunfire and explosions continued as police, the Army, and CRPF advanced through difficult terrain. It is unclear if these terrorists were part of a group that earlier escaped a security cordon in Hiranagar’s Sanyal forest or a separate infiltration.
The bodies of the policemen—Balwinder Singh Chib, Jaswant Singh, and Tariq Ahmed—were recovered after a day of search efforts. Their service weapons were missing, but officials have not confirmed whether the terrorists took them. Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat received the bodies at the medical college before a ceremonial tribute at district police lines in Kathua.
The officers had been protecting the SDPO leading the search party when they were ambushed. The SDPO was later evacua.