Four soldiers injured in Kishtwar gunfight ahead of PM Modi’s scheduled rally

JAMMU — Four soldiers were injured after a gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Chenab Valley of Kishtwar district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally on Saturday.

According to the reports from the news agency KNO, four soldiers received bullet injuries and were evacuated to a medical facility after an encounter broke out at Chhatroo area of Kishtwar.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally in neighbouring Doda tomorrow.

“Based on the intelligence inputs, a joint operation with J&K Police was launched in Chatroo area at Kishtwar. A contact has been established with the terrorists at 3.30 pm. In the ensuing firefight, four army personnel were injured. The operation is in progress,” the Army’s White Knight Corps said in a statement.

Moreover, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain said, “Exchange of fire has taken place between search teams of security forces and hiding terrorists at Pingnal Dugadda forest area, upper reaches of Naidgham village under the jurisdiction of Chhatroo Police Station, Kishtwar district.”

According to sources, the encounter began when the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, launched an anti-militancy operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Militants, who were hiding in the area, opened fire on the search party, prompting retaliation from security forces.

Reports suggest that at least four Jaish-e-Muhammad militants are trapped in Chatroo area of Kishtwar where the encounter is currently going on and search operations have been intensified to nearby areas of the encounter area. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, surrounded the area to neutralise the militants.