August 24, 2024 7:41 PM.
In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists opened fire on a joint team of the Indian Army and J&K Police this evening in the Watergam area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district this evening. The vigilant troops, however, swiftly responded, and a firefight ensued in the area. According to defense sources, the operation was ongoing until the last reports came in.
A terrorist was killed and a soldier injured in a brief firefight between security forces and terrorists in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district Saturday. A pistol, grenades and some rounds of ammunition were seized from the encounter site, police said.
The gun battle erupted around afternoon when terrorists shot at security personnel during a joint naka checking at Watergam area in Sopore’s Rafiabad, attracting retaliatory fire from the forces. Reinforcements were rushed to the spot to aid the anti-terror operation. A soldier sustained bullet injuries in the initial exchange of fire and was evacuated to the hospital, said a senior police officer.
The slain terrorist’s identity and affiliation were being ascertained, said the officer. The area was cordoned off after the firefight and was being combed by a joint team of the Army, CRPF and J&K Police till the time of going to press.
The anti-terror operation came amid heightened security preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, with security agencies strengthening measures to ensure the polls are conducted smoothly.
In the last few months, there has been a spike in terror attacks in the Jammu region, including encounters in Doda and Udhampur. Notably, Jammu and Kashmir is going to witness the elections after a gap of 10 years, as the last assembly election was held in 2014.
The polling in the UT will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, as per the Election Commission of India. The counting of the votes will take place on October 4. There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies, of which 74 are general, nine are reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and seven are for Scheduled Castes.
