Amid heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, the Indian Army has reaffirmed its strategic resolve and combat preparedness following deadly clashes that left three suspected rebels and a soldier dead this week.
In a press briefing on Saturday, senior army officials emphasized the challenges of maintaining security in the volatile terrain, while commending the troops for their swift and decisive response during recent operations.
Brigadier JBS Rathi lauded the army’s execution during a prolonged gunfight in the dense forests of Kishtwar, in southern Jammu and Kashmir. “In the gun battle, three terrorists were neutralised,” he said, using a term commonly used to refer to militants engaged in insurgency against Indian rule in the region. “Troops displayed great tactical acumen.”
The encounter, which began on Wednesday, resulted in the recovery of weapons and “war-like stores,” according to an update from the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps on social media platform X.
Separately, the army confirmed that a soldier was killed late Friday night while repelling an attempted infiltration in Sunderbani district, along the LoC the unofficial border between India and Pakistan. “Troops had foiled an infiltration attempt,” the White Knight Corps stated on X, reinforcing the constant vigilance required in the region.
These incidents come amid persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, a territory claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but divided between them since 1947. India maintains a heavy military presence in the region, with an estimated 500,000 troops permanently deployed to prevent cross-border incursions and manage internal unrest.
Armed groups seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan have waged a decades-long insurgency, often leading to violent exchanges with security forces. Just last month, a clash claimed the lives of four police officers and two suspected rebels, leaving several others wounded.
As cross-border infiltration attempts and militant activity continue to pose threats, Indian forces are intensifying operations along the LoC and in remote forested zones to preempt unrest and protect civilians
