Jammu, Jan 18: Eight soldiers of the Army were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forested area in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said.

The intense exchange of fire between the two sides lasted several hours before the guns fell silent. Reinforcements have been deployed to strengthen the cordon and neutralise the terrorists, the officials said.

The operation, which the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps has named ‘Operation Trashi-I’, began around noon.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said the security forces came in contact with the terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies,” the Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

According to the officials, one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists allegedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.

The troops retaliated and reinforcements from Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides till 5.40 pm, the officials said.

Eight soldiers were injured and evacuated to the hospital. Most of them suffered splinter injuries in the grenade blast, the officials said, adding that a massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists.

Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation.

This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.

The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.

Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.

Jammu, Jan 18: Three soldiers were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forested area in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said.

Reinforcements have been deployed to neutralise the terrorists. The operation, which the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps has named ‘Operation Trashi-I’, began around noon, they said.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said the security forces came in contact with the terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies,” the Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

According to the officials, one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists allegedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.

The troops retaliated and reinforcements from Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides for some time, the officials said.

Three soldiers suffered splinter injuries and were subsequently evacuated to the hospital. A massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists, they added.

Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation.

This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.

The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.

Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to the Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.

Jammu, Jan 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today asked the youth to dream big, aim high and pursue it with full courage and unshakable resolve.

“Your future is waiting for you. Take a pledge to build brighter J&K and work with dedication. The history remembers those who dared to challenge limits, conquered fear, and turned the impossible into reality,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He was addressing the youth at the 7th Annual Day Celebration of Guidance & Career Counselling Cell for Youth Development (GCC), Gurha Slathia in Samba.

The Lieutenant Governor called upon the youth to serve as the architects of social change and contribute towards the vision of “Viksit Bharat”.

“History teaches us that people who changed the world did not rely on extraordinary circumstances but extraordinary thinking. Youth are not just the hope of tomorrow; they are the greatest power of today. Young people of J&K should dare to dream big for the UT of J&K and the nation. When dreams soar high, paths for developed society must be carved through hard work, patience and unwavering courage,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the Youth who are taking small steps toward their dreams every day will one day lead the transformation.

“Only those who truly believe in their own potential, who trust in themselves go on to create history,” he further said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that innovation and entrepreneurship are the key to society’s progress. He asked the Youth of UT to embrace fresh ideas to solve problems and create opportunities for self-employment as powerful drivers of economic empowerment.

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the commitment of the Government of India and UT administration towards the complete rehabilitation of families affected due to the recent natural calamities.

He said the Government of India, on the request of the UT Administration, has approved a comprehensive allocation of Rs 1437 crore for reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure and implementation of disaster mitigation measures in affected areas of Jammu Kashmir.

“The damaged railway bridges will be restored within three months, while the restoration work of national highways’ stretches damaged due to floods will be completed in the coming 4 months,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Responding to the demand pertaining to construction of railway over-bridge in Samba projected by Member of Legislative Assembly Samba, the Lieutenant Governor assured that the issue will be taken up with the railway officials for its early redressal. He further asked the Member of Legislative Assembly for development of a pond in the area with the volunteer support from youth and social organisations.

The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to the Radha Soami Satsang Beas and High-range Rural Development Society-HRDS India for their selfless service to society. He also commended the Guidance & Career Counselling Cell for Youth Development for their dedicated endeavours towards youth empowerment.

During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor also reviewed the progress on the Auditorium and upgradation work for Government Higher Secondary School in Gurha Slathia, Samba. He directed the officials for installation of proper sanitation and sports facilities.

Surjit Singh Slathia, Member of Legislative Assembly, Samba; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shakti Pathak, Director Anti-Corruption Bureau; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range; Ayushi Sudan, Deputy Commissioner, Samba; senior officials; members of Guidance and Counselling Cell for Youth Development (GCC) and youth in large number attended the event.

Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (Retd.) and various prominent personalities from diverse fields were also present.

Jammu, Jan 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday reviewed the ongoing development works of Pachokhar Digital Library dedicated to Nari Shakti at Zamania, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh through virtual mode.

The Lieutenant Governor commended the Pachokhar Digital Library initiative aimed at strengthening the resolve of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ by actively promoting girls’ education in society and empowering rural communities.

“Education expands the horizon of opportunities and opens doors to a brighter future. It should be our collective responsibility to ensure that no girl is denied the gift of education, and every possible support is extended for their higher learning,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that daughters are true carriers of change and progress in an evolving world.

“Educated daughters spark a powerful revolution against social discrimination and they become a force that ensures an inclusive society, which works fairly and equally for everyone, free from any form of bias.

In today’s changing world, women’s economic empowerment is equally essential. It enables them to live a life filled with complete financial independence and dignity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that initiatives like the Pachokhar Digital Library should be expanded to other areas, empowering our daughters to contribute confidently to the journey of a developed India.

Kishtwar, Jan 18: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Singhpora area of Kishtwar district on Sunday.

Official sources said that security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area following specific inputs about the presence of terrorists.

During the operation, the hiding terrorists opened fire, prompting retaliatory action by the forces, leading to an encounter.

Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the spot, and the area has been cordoned off to prevent the terrorists from escaping. The exchange of fire was ongoing at the time of filing this report.

Further details are awaited. (KNC)