Representative image of encounter.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Two militants, an army personnel and a special police officer (SPO) were killed in an ongoing encounter between security forces and ultras in Rajouri district of Jammu region on Wednesday.
A six-year-old female Labrador named Kent of the Army's dog unit was also martyred during the gunfight, reports said. A joint operation to monitor and track the movement of two terrorists was launched by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on September 7.
The Army cordoned the militants and heavy firefight ensued on September 12, wherein one terrorist was killed on the same night. Despite bad weather and hostile terrain, the second terrorist was pursued and neutralised on the morning of September 13 after heavy firing throughout the night.
Jammu based PRO Defence, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said despite challenging weather and terrain, the second militant was neutralised on Wednesday. One soldier from 63 Rashtriya Rifles and an SPO were also killed, he said and added the operation continues.
The Army has already deployed additional troops in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to thwart infiltration attempts from across the border.
A total of 27 Army personnel, including three officers and five paratroopers, and seven civilians have been killed in eight terror attacks since October 11, 2021 in the twin districts which are also called as Pir-Panjal region.