Vidushi Gaur/ Jammu and Kashmir

Security forces have launched an extensive search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following a brief exchange of fire with terrorists, police reported on Sunday. The encounter took place near the Kishtwar Police station, prompting a thorough combing of the area to locate the terrorists.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to two soldiers who were killed in a separate gunfight with terrorists in the Anantnag district. Singh expressed his condolences on social media, stating, "Deeply saddened at the loss of our brave and fearless Indian Army soldiers in a counter-terrorist operation in Kokernag, Anantnag (J&K). The nation stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief."

Deeply saddened at the loss of our brave and fearless Indian Army soldiers in a counter terrorist operation in Kokernag, Anantnag (J&K). My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with them, in this hour of grief. https://t.co/U7i15FjaxU

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 11, 2024

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi also honored the fallen soldiers, Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, recognizing their supreme sacrifice.

In the Anantnag encounter, one of the two civilians injured during the firefight succumbed to his injuries on Sunday. The Army is investigating the terror links of the injured civilians. The encounter occurred in the Ahlan Gandole area of Kokernag, where security forces have been conducting a massive search operation to track down the terrorists.

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According to an Army statement, the terrorists involved in recent atrocities in the Doda region had infiltrated across the Kishtwar range into South Kashmir. Security forces have been tracking these terrorists since early August and engaged them in a firefight in the high-altitude Kapran Garol area. Despite challenging terrain, efforts to neutralize the terrorists are ongoing.