Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary strongly condemned the cross-border terrorism that continues to claim the lives of security personnel in the region. Speaking at the wreath-laying ceremony for Head Constable Jagbir Singh, who was martyred in the Kathua encounter, Choudhary urged Pakistan to abandon its support for militancy, stating that three decades of violence had achieved nothing. The ceremony, held at Gulshan Ground in Jammu, was attended by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Director General of Police, and senior officers from the civil administration, police, Army, and CRPF. Choudhary expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and emphasized that both the central and J&K governments do not want to see their children martyred due to foreign-sponsored attacks.
The encounter in the Safiyan forest area of Kathua lasted two days, resulting in the deaths of four police personnel, including Singh, and three injuries among security forces. Two terrorists, suspected to be linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), were also neutralized during the operation, which was still ongoing. Choudhary asserted that India and Jammu & Kashmir would never be weakened by terrorism, warning that those fueling unrest had only led to their own destruction. He reiterated the need for Pakistan to reconsider its approach, urging a permanent end to cross-border militancy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alongside Choudhary and other officials, expressed solidarity with the grieving families and paid homage to the fallen policemen.
Highlighting the unity of J&K’s diverse communities, Choudhary pointed out that the slain officers came from different religious backgrounds—one Muslim and three Hindus—yet their sacrifices had united the region in mourning. He emphasized that no external force could weaken the bond of brotherhood in Jammu and Kashmir, despite continuous efforts to sow discord. As security forces continue their search operations in the area, the incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by militancy and the resilience of the security forces combating terrorism in the region.
