Jammu, India – A tense encounter in the remote village of Kog-Mandli, located in the Billawar tehsil of Kathua district, resulted in the tragic death of a Head Constable and injuries to two other police officers during a fierce gunfight with terrorists on terrorists. The incident unfolded around 5:30 PM when security forces initiated a joint cordon and search operation based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of armed militants in the area.
As the forces closed in on the targeted house, the terrorists opened fire, sparking an intense exchange of gunfire. During the clash, Head Constable Bashir Ahmed lost his life, while an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) sustained bullet injuries. Additionally, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (operations) was also injured in the firefight. Senior officials, including Jammu Zone Additional Director General of Police Anand Jain, have arrived at the scene to oversee the ongoing operation.
The encounter takes place against the backdrop of heightened security measures in the region, which is preparing for the third and final phase of polling on October 1. The district of Kathua is set to vote alongside other districts, including Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara. As the situation developed, security personnel implemented a tight cordon around the area, calling in reinforcements from nearby security camps. In the aftermath of the initial gunfire, a brief lull was observed; however, hostilities resumed as darkness fell, with the terrorists attempting to breach the cordon.
To counter this, the area has been illuminated, and modern surveillance technologies, including drones, have been deployed to monitor the situation closely. The ongoing confrontation highlights the persistent security challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in the region, especially with the upcoming elections. As the operation continues, officials remain committed to neutralizing the threat posed by the militants while ensuring the safety of civilians in the surrounding areas.