Terror strikes again in Hiranagar sector of J&K’s Kathua district

At least 5 foreign terrorists trapped by the joint team of security forces in the village Sanyal of Hiranagar

March 23, 2025

Encounter breaks out between security forces and terrorists in the Hiranagar sector

Terror revisited the vulnerable Hiranagar sector of the Kathua district late Sunday evening after a massive firefight broke out between the security forces and a group of heavily armed terrorists, who may have infiltrated from across the international border with Pakistan to launch a terrorist attack.

According to eyewitness reports, a group of at least five terrorists was spotted by a couple in the agriculture fields around 4.50 p.m. on Sunday. After the brave couple managed to escape unhurt from the clutches of terrorists they raised an alarm following which the security forces rushed to the area to launch an anti-terrorist operation.

However, Rising Star Corps in a post on X said, “Based on Intelligence Input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation has been launched by Jammu and Kashmir police & troops of Rising Star Corps on 23 Mar 25 in the general area of Sanyal, Hiranagar. Operations in Progress“.

#IndianArmy
OP SANIYAL
Based on Intelligence Input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation has been launched by @JmuKmrPolice & troops of #RisingStar Corps on 23 Mar 25 in general area Saniyal #Hiranagar. Operations in Progress.… pic.twitter.com/A3GOZsNgbD
— Rising Star Corps_IA (@RisingStarCorps) March 23, 2025

Massive exchange of firing was going on in the forward area of Hiranagar till late evening even as local villagers were directed to stay input to prevent any loss of human lives.

Meanwhile, a seven-year-old girl received a splinter injury while she was playing in the courtyard of her home in the area. According to doctors, her condition was stated to be stable.

The joint team of security forces has cordoned off the entire area to prevent the terrorists from fleeing the area. The security forces were taking all necessary precautions to avoid any collateral damage.

Senior Army and police officers were rushed to the encounter site to supervise the operation.

An eyewitness account

Speaking to media persons a local eyewitness, without disclosing her identity, told media persons “When I was passing through the fields to collect firewood along with my husband we were stopped by the terrorists who were hiding in the area. As they tried to capture my husband I requested them to free us”.

“Let us go back, you carry on with your work. We will not raise any alarm“. The local woman further revealed that as I requested them not to kill us, my husband who was in their captivity, directed me to run away to safety. She said as I started running I was followed by a terrorist. Without caring for my safety I ran towards the village and as I was crossing one of the fields I noticed my brother-in-law was present there. As I raised an alarm a few other villagers also arrived there. She claimed as I was struggling to speak my husband also arrived there as the terrorists had directed him to call me back. It was then we informed the security forces and the operation was launched to neutralize the terrorists.

Last year, On June 12 and 13, two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a fierce gunfight during a search and cordon operation in Saida-Sohal village of Kathua’s Hiranagar tehsil.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.