Civilian injured in Kokernag gunfight dies, toll rises to three

SRINAGAR — The death toll from the overnight anti-terror operation in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, has risen to three, following the death of one of the two civilians injured in the encounter.

Abdul Rashid Dar, who was wounded by terrorist gunfire on Saturday, died at a hospital early Sunday.

The gunfight, which took place in the Ahlan Gagarmandu forest area, resulted in the deaths of two Army personnel and left two civilians injured.

The operation, initiated based on intelligence reports of terrorist activity in the remote forest area, continued despite the challenging terrain. The firefight began on Saturday evening during a cordon and search operation.

On Saturday, the Army in a statement said that it had been earlier confirmed through human and electronic means on August 5, 2024. Terrorists responsible for atrocities and incidents in the Doda region in the month of July 24, had sneaked across the Kishtwar range into the Kapran Garol area in South Kashmir.

“Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police have ever since relentlessly tracked these terrorists and precise operations were launched on the night of August 9 and 10, 2024 in the area East of Kapran, in the mountains, where these terrorists were reportedly holed up,” it said.

It added, “Suspicious movement was observed at approximately 1400 hours on August 10, on challenging, was immediately responded to by indiscriminate, desperate and reckless firing from terrorists in which two Army personnel and two civilians, in the vicinity were injured. The terror antecedents of the injured civilians are being ascertained.”

“The area is above 10000 feet in high altitude, has thick under growth, large boulders, Nallahs and re-entrants that poses a serious challenge to operations. Security forces are moving deliberately and are in the process of hunting down the terrorists. Operations will progress through the night,” it added.