In Rajouri, Jammu Kashmir’s Baaji Maal area of Kalakote, a tense situation unfolded, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including two army captains and Hawaldars of the Indian army, during an ongoing encounter with militants.
Captain Shubham Gupta from the Army’s 9 Para, Captain MV Pranjal from 63 Rashtriya Rifles, along with two Hawaldars, lost their lives.
The confrontation ignited when militants opened fire on an army search team in the forested terrain. This prompted an intense exchange of fire, resulting in the fatalities and injuries among the security forces.
Confirming the incident, an unnamed defense official revealed, “Two army officers, including a Captain of Rashtriya Rifles, a Captain of Special Forces, and two Hawaldars have lost their lives in the encounter. Several injured army personnel have been shifted to the army hospital for treatment.”
As the firefight continued, the situation remained tense, with reports suggesting the presence of two to three trapped militants in the area seeking refuge within the dense forest cover.
Efforts to retrieve the bodies of the fallen officers and Hawaldars were ongoing.
The operation, momentarily halted due to darkness, saw reinforcements and senior officers rushing to the site to handle the situation.
“This incident follows previous fatal encounters in the region, underlining the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in the area,” highlighted a defense source.
The operation remained active with tightened security measures in place to prevent any potential escape by the militants.