Hailing from Haryana, was part of patrol unit

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, August 19

A CRPF Inspector from Haryana, Kuldeep Kumar, was killed when a group of armed terrorists attacked a joint patrol party in Udhampur district on Monday.

The CRPF and the Special Operations Group of the J&K Police were fired upon by the terrorists hiding in bushes around 3 pm in a forest area near Dudu in Basantgarh in Udhampur district, said sources.

In an official statement, the police said, “During an area domination patrol at Dudu, an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and a joint team of the police and the CRPF. In the encounter, one Inspector of the CRPF suffered bullet injuries and was killed. The operation is continuing.”

The sources said the CRPF officer, belonging to 187th Battalion, was leading the patrol party. He was critically injured in the attack and succumbed later.

The sources said the joint patrol team immediately retaliated, but the terrorists were able to flee from the spot. Additional forces, including the Army, had been rushed to the area. They have started a cordon and search operation in the forest area.

An encounter had taken place in the Thanda Pani Khaned area under the jurisdiction of the Basantgarh police station on August 6. However, even then terrorists were able to flee from the area.

The attack comes amid preparation for the Assembly elections in J&K. On August 9, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said in Jammu that the security forces were capable of handling the situation in the region. Today’s incident comes five days after an Army Captain was killed in an encounter in Doda district. The Jammu region has witnessed multiple attacks and encounters since July in which 11 security personnel have been killed. One terrorist was also killed during the Doda encounter.

The Basantgarh area falls on the infiltration route usually taken by Pakistan-trained terrorists. After entering India from Kathua, ultras start their journey towards mountainous areas through Basantgarh.

Intelligence agencies are concerned that terrorists were able to flee after recent encounters in Doda, Kishtwar and other districts of the Jammu region. With poll campaigning set to gain momentum in the region, the security agencies are on their toes to provide protection to members of political parties.

Jammu region on terror radar

• The Jammu region has seen multiple attacks by terrorists and subsequent encounters since July
• 11 security personnel killed in these incidents
• An Army Captain was killed in a gunfight in Doda district of Jammu belt five days ago