Three soldiers sustained injuries during an ongoing military operation targeting militants in the Broh forests of Kalakote in Rajouri on Tuesday.
A cordon and search operation was launched on Monday night by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police after specific intelligence regarding the presence of militants within the vicinity.
A significant exchange of gunfire ensued after contact was established between the security forces and the militants within the forest. The militants fired at the troops in an attempt to break the cordon, injuring the two soldiers.
Additional reinforcements were rapidly deployed to the area to prevent the militants from escaping. It is suspected that the militants may be foreign nationals, numbering between two to three individuals.
The injured army personnel have been hospitalised and their condition is said to be stable. The militants are believed to be inside the cordoned area and all escape routes have been plugged, officials said.
This is the second encounter within a month in Rajouri, the last being on September 13, which saw security forces successfully neutralising two militants in the Narla area of Taryath. Tragically, an Army dog Kent lost its life in the encounter.
This year, over 30 militants were eliminated in encounters within the Reasi district. The Pir Panjal range, which encompasses the districts of Rajouri and Poonch along the Line of Control (LoC), has witnessed a surge in militant activity. Several infiltration attempts have been thwarted.
Notably, on January 1, seven civilians fell victim to militants in Dhangri, Rajouri. This incident was followed by an attack on an Army vehicle in Bhatta Durrian, Mendhar, Poonch on April 20th, resulting in the martyrdom of five soldiers.
Two weeks later, additional five soldiers lost their lives during a confrontation with militants in the Kandi forests of Rajouri. Subsequent encounters have taken place in Surankote, Darhal, Narla, and Dhakikote in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi, leading to the elimination of several foreign militants.