SRINAGAR: Five security personnel were injured in an encounter between terrorists and security forces in the Adigam area of Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir. The injured personnel were rushed to BB Cantt Hospital, Srinagar, and are reportedly in stable condition.
The injured have been identified as ASP Mumtaz Ali Bhatti, who sustained injuries to his right arm and left leg, Sepoy Mohan Sharma of the 09 RR (right leg), Sepoy Sohan Kumar of the 09 RR (left thigh), Sepoy Yoginder of the 09 RR (right thigh), and Mohammad Isran of the 09 RR (right shoulder).
The encounter began when security forces, acting on specific intelligence, launched a joint operation in the village to neutralize terrorists suspected to be hiding in the area. The troops conducted a house-to-house search, during which the terrorists opened fire, triggering a gunfight. “The encounter started at the Adigam Devsar area of Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” read a post from the Kashmir Police Zone.
This incident is part of a series of encounters that have occurred recently across Jammu and Kashmir, coinciding with the region’s Assembly elections—the first in a decade. The elections are being held in three phases, with two already completed on September 18 and 25. The final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, and votes will be counted on October 8.
Earlier, on September 11, security forces eliminated a terrorist in an encounter in Baramulla, and on September 14, another clash occurred in Udhampur. The region has seen sporadic violence throughout the election period, and security operations continue to focus on neutralising threats from terrorist elements.
Further updates on the Kulgam encounter are awaited as the situation develops.