Jammu and Kashmir CM pays tribute to police personnel martyred in Kathua anti-militancy operation

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid tribute to the police personnel martyred in the four-day-long encounter with Pakistani militants in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. He led a tribute ceremony held at the Gulshan Ground of the Police Headquarters in Jammu on Saturday (March 29).

The main tribute was paid to Head Constable Jagbir Singh, who was in-charge of Safian Police Post in Kathua. Along with him, three other police personnel who lost their lives in the operation — Selection Grade Constable Balwinder Singh, SG CT Jaswant Singh and SG CT Tariq Ahmed — were also honoured.

 The tribute ceremony was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhury, Minister Satish Sharma, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat and senior officers of various forces including the Army, BSF, CRPF.

The daring operation began on March 23, when local residents reported the sighting of suspected Pakistani infiltrators in the Sanyal area of ​​Kathua. Soon after receiving the information, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, BSF and CRPF jointly launched an operation.

In the first phase of the operation, security forces engaged in a face-to-face encounter with the militants. While the militants fled, they left behind four magazines, three IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and two grenades. Security forces cordoned off the entire area and continued the operation for four consecutive days.

In the final phase of the encounter on March 28, the security forces shot dead two Pakistani militants.  However, four brave policemen were martyred in the encounter.

Regarding the operation, DGP Nalin Prabhat said, "Our forces are resolute. We are determined to stop terrorist activities from across the border. Our operations will continue until this threat is completely eliminated." He added, "Our forces are still conducting operations and we hope that the situation will be completely under control soon."

Through this bravery and sacrifice, the members of Jammu and Kashmir Police have set a shining example of their commitment and dedication.