Kathua’s Day of Valor: Three Pakistani Terrorists Neutralized, Three SOG Bravehearts Martyred in Fierce Gunfight.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Parvinder Singh March 28,2025 ||
Kathua : A day-long intense gun battle unfolded in the rugged heights of Ghati in Kathua district today, as security forces engaged in one of the fiercest encounters in recent times. By dusk, three Pakistani terrorists were neutralized, while three valiant Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel laid down their lives. Seven others, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), sustained injuries in the relentless exchange of fire.
The battle erupted early in the morning when villagers in Safiyan Jakhole spotted armed infiltrators and alerted the police. Acting swiftly, a team of local police and SOG, led by DySP Border Dheeraj Katoch, reached the spot and engaged the terrorists, who were heavily armed with sophisticated M4 Carbines and grenades. The exchange of fire soon turned into a full-fledged encounter, prompting the deployment of para commandos via aerial drop.
Martyrdom and Bravery in the Line of Duty:
The first wave of SOG personnel bore the brunt of the initial assault. Selection Grade Constables Tariq Ahmad (Reasi), Jaswant Singh (Hiranagar), and Balwinder Singh (Kathua) were martyred in the line of duty. DySP Katoch sustained injuries but continued to direct operations. Other injured personnel, including SPO Bharat Chalotra of Akhnoor, were evacuated to hospitals in Kathua and Jammu.
Terrorists Eliminated, but the Battle Isn’t Over:
Three terrorists were confirmed killed, with their bodies located through drone surveillance. One of the terrorists was incinerated by a rocket launcher strike. The assailants are believed to be operatives of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), trained and equipped for a prolonged engagement. However, officials suspect two more terrorists may still be at large, prompting the operation to continue at first light tomorrow.
Heavy Firepower, Close Combat & Tactical Maneuvers:
The encounter site, a dense, rugged terrain interspersed with deep gorges, made the battle particularly challenging. Army personnel launched rocket attacks to flush out the terrorists, who retaliated with grenades and automatic gunfire. Civilians and local youth were seen assisting the security forces by carrying weapons and supplies deep into the battlefield.
“The terrorists were well-trained and heavily armed. We have reason to believe that they had infiltrated via the Hiranagar sector and possibly regrouped in Ghati before making their move,” an official stated.
Was This the Hiranagar Group?
The ongoing investigation is piecing together whether this group is the same that was spotted in Sanyal, Hiranagar on Sunday, where a separate encounter had briefly erupted before the militants disappeared. The similarity in numbers—five terrorists at both locations—suggests that this could be the same infiltration squad attempting to escape into the Billawar mountains en route to Udhampur or Kishtwar.
Commandos on Ground, Top Brass Camping at Site:
With the encounter escalating, senior police officials and Army commanders rushed to the spot, closely monitoring the developments. Special para commando units were airdropped into the area to tighten the noose around the remaining terrorists.
A five-member police team, including the SDPO, was momentarily trapped near a rivulet, concealed by dense foliage. While DySP Katoch was evacuated, three of his Personal Security Officers were found dead, and another policeman’s fate remains uncertain.
Massive Search Operations on the Ground and in the Skies:
Following intelligence inputs, security forces launched a sweeping operation in the entire region, deploying helicopters, UAVs, drones, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs. Earlier evidence—four loaded magazines of M4 carbines, grenades, bulletproof jackets, and materials for IEDs—suggests meticulous planning by the terrorists.
JeM Proxy Group Claims Responsibility:
As the battle raged, People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a known proxy of JeM, claimed responsibility for the attack. Security forces remain on high alert, ensuring that the remaining militants do not escape under the cover of darkness.
The Fight Continues…
As the sun sets over the blood-soaked hills of Kathua, the operation remains unfinished. With two more terrorists possibly lurking, security forces are set to resume the search at dawn, determined to eliminate the remaining threat. The sacrifices of the fallen heroes will not go in vain, as the forces stand resolute in defending the nation from the menace of cross-border terrorism.
