ADGP assures Peaceful and Violance free Election
Arun Jasrotia
Kathua, (TDD): In a tense confrontation that has gripped the Mandli area of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, an ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists has resulted in the tragic loss of a cop’s life and left two others injured.
The incident, which began yesterday following intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the region, has intensified security concerns just three days before the upcoming elections in the area.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu, Anand Jain, visited the encounter site this morning to assess the situation firsthand, accompanied by other senior police officials. In a briefing, ADGP Jain revealed that upon receiving information about the terrorists’ presence, a joint cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched by security forces and Jammu Kashmir Police in the Mandli area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Billawar Police Station in Kathua District of J&K.
The operation took a grim turn when contact was established with the terrorists, believed to be three to four in number. In the initial exchange of gunfire, Head Constable Bashir Ahmed of the Jammu Kashmir Police lost his life, while a Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) and an Assistant Sub-Inspector sustained injuries. Both injured officers are reported to be in stable condition.
ADGP Jain emphasized that the entire area has been cordoned off, and search operations are ongoing. He also noted that the terrorists are suspected to be foreign operatives, though this information will be confirmed only after thorough verification. Responding to reports of a terrorist being killed, Jain stated that this information has not yet been confirmed and that it would take some time to verify.
The encounter began when intelligence suggested that the terrorists were hiding in a house in the area. ADGP Jain assured that operations will continue relentlessly, especially given the proximity to the third phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted that extensive security arrangements have been made to ensure incident-free and Violance free election in upcoming third Phase of Assembly Election.
This terrorist incident, occurring just days before the third Phase of assembly elections, poses a significant challenge to the Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces. The authorities remain committed to neutralizing any terrorist threats swiftly and maintaining peace and security in the region as it prepares for the upcoming polls.(TDD)
