An Indian Army soldier was killed, and three other security personnel were injured on Sunday as militants opened fire on security forces conducting a search operation in Keshwan’s forests, Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir. This action follows the recent killing of two village defense guards in the area.

The deceased soldier has been identified as Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar from 2 Para Special Forces. The White Knight Corps honored his service on social media, stating, “We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”

Encounter Details in Kishtwar

Security forces launched a “seek and destroy” operation in the forests of Keshwan and Kuntwara, targeting absconding militants suspected to be behind the village guards’ killings. Early Sunday morning, militants ambushed the search party, opening fire and injuring three soldiers, who were then hospitalized. Sources confirmed that the militants belong to the group responsible for the village guards’ deaths.

The Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked Kashmir Tigers claimed responsibility for the village guards’ killings. Military officials stated that militant activity in the area has increased recently, with encounters during the Assembly elections and growing concerns of militant movement in Kishtwar.

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Separate Gunfight in Srinagar’s Zabarwan Forests

Simultaneously, another team of security forces engaged with militants in Srinagar’s Zabarwan forest near the city. Acting on intelligence reports of militant presence, the joint J&K Police and Army team conducted a search operation but was met with militant gunfire. No injuries were reported in this incident, and forces are expanding the search perimeter.

Increasing Encounters Across Kashmir

The Valley has seen an uptick in encounters over recent days, with five encounters in the past three days alone:

• Saturday: A militant was killed in Sopore’s Rampur-Rajpur forests.
• Friday: Two militants died in separate encounters in Bandipora and Kupwara, while two more were killed in Sopore’s Sagipora village.

Traditionally, November witnesses an escalation in encounters as militants move from forested areas towards villages with the onset of winter. The Zabarwan forest, serving as a transit route, connects several significant regions and has seen ongoing security operations to curb militant movement.

Security forces continue to strengthen search operations and monitor militant activities as tensions rise across the Valley.

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