Pak ultra shot dead in Kathua encounter
A terrorist, believed to be a Pakistani national, was killed during an encounter with security forces in Billawar area of Kathua, just two days before the district participates in the final phase of the Assembly elections.
J&K Police Head Constable Bashir Ahmed was killed in the same encounter on Saturday in the initial exchange of firing between security forces and terrorists. The police said three-four foreign terrorists were suspected to be hiding in a house in Kog village in Billawar, following which an operation was launched on Saturday morning.
Two other policemen, including DSP (Operations) Sukhbir and Assistant Sub-Inspector Niaz Ahmed, were injured. Both were airlifted to Jammu for further treatment and their condition is stated to be stable. “J&K Police Head Constable Bashir Ahmed has made the supreme sacrifice. He fired at the terrorist and received mortal wounds in exchange of fire,” an official said.
The body of the terrorist riddled with bullets was recovered on Sunday morning by a joint team of the Army and the J&K Police’s Special Operations Group.
The search operation for the remaining terrorists, believed to be armed with sophisticated weapons and night vision devices, continues. The group is believed to be active in the region for the past few months.
Additional Director General of Police Anand Jain along with Deputy Inspector General Shiv Kumar Sharma was overseeing the operation on the spot, said an official. Jain said the security forces received information about the presence of militants after which the operation was launched. DGP RR Swain paid tributes to the martyred policeman, saying, “Bashir did not fear death when it came to protecting hiscountry”.
