2 Soldiers Killed, 3 Injured In Ongoing Encounter With Terrorists In J&K's Anantnag

Two Indian Army soldiers were killed in an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, according to Defense officials. The soldiers sustained injuries during a clash with militants in the Kokernag region.

During the exchange of fire, five army personnel were injured and promptly evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment. Both the army personnel succumbed to their injuries during the treatment.

Two civilians have also been reported injured due to reckless firing by terrorists in the ongoing operation; the injured have been provided immediate medical aid and evacuated further, said Army officials.

Earlier in the day encounter broke out in the Ahlan Gadole area of Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district this afternoon. The gunfight led to a heavy exchange of fire between the security forces and the militants. 

The two soldiers were injured when terrorists targeted their patrol during an anti-terror operation in the forested area of Kokernag subdivision. Special forces and army paratroopers have been deployed in the ongoing operation to flush out the terrorists, who are believed to be foreign nationals. 

In a post on social media platform 'X', the Indian army's Chinar corps said, "Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & @crpf_srinagar today in general area Kokernag, Anantnag. Contact was established and firefight ensued. Two personnel have been injured and evacuated from the area. Operations are in progress."

OP GAGARMANDU, #Anantnag

Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & @crpf_srinagar today in general area Kokernag, Anantnag. Contact was established and firefight ensued. Two personnel have been injured and evacuated from… pic.twitter.com/24DEESGtGZ — Chinar Corps - Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) August 10, 2024

Today's encounter marks the second major encounter in Kokernag within the past year. In September 2023, a Commanding Officer, a Major, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police were killed during a clash with terrorists in the Kokernag forest. Reinforcements have been dispatched to the area to flush out the terrorists, who are believed to be hiding in the Ahlan Gadole forests.