In a serious escalation of violence, three separate attacks have occurred in Jammu & Kashmir within a span of just three days. Following the recent terrorist attack in Reasi, another wave of terror has swept through the region, prompting heightened security measures. Three security personnel were injured in an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, following an attack on a joint checkpost, officials told PTI on Wednesday. In another terror attack, police and security forces are engaged in an operation to track down a terrorist hiding in Saida Sukhal village in Kathua district.These incidents occurred in the wake of increased security measures following a terrorist attack on a bus transporting pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra in Reasi last Sunday.

The attack, which took place two days prior, resulted in the bus plunging into a deep gorge, causing nine fatalities and injuring 41 others.

A suspected Pakistani terrorist was killed by security forces after the ultras attacked a village near the International Border (IB) on Tuesday evening and injured a civilian.

In Doda, terrorists fired upon a joint checkpost of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police in the Chattergalla area on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot road Tuesday late night, the officials said.

In Kathua district, security forces continued to engage in an operation to track down a terrorist hiding in Saida Sukhal village near Koota Morhunder Hiranagar police station limits. The police said with the assistance of the CRPF, they have cordoned off the area and are conducting a house-to-house search. One family, consisting of a man and his wife, has been evacuated to a hospital. The husband, Omkar Nath, suffered an arm injury and is reported to be in stable condition, while his wife remains unhurt.

The operation in Saida Sukhal began after two recently infiltrated terrorists appeared in the village late Tuesday evening.

According to a police statement, the terrorists asked for water from several houses, raising villagers’ suspicions. When villagers raised an alarm, the terrorists fired randomly, injuring one person.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Hiranagar and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) engaged the terrorists, resulting in the death of one terrorist who tried to lob a grenade at the police party.

Sharing details about the Kathua operation, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain, said, “Two terrorists who appeared to be freshly infiltrated (from across the border) surfaced in Saida Sukhal village around 8 pm and asked for water from a household. The people got frightened and as soon as information was received, a police team headed by sub-divisional police officer and Station House officer rushed to the village.”

According to the ADGP, one terrorist was killed and the operation in the village near Koota Mode in the Hiranagar sector, over 60 km from here, was underway.

The officials said an AK assault rifle and a rucksack were recovered from the possession of the slain terrorist whose identity and group affiliation were being ascertained.

“One of the terrorists tried to hurl a grenade and was killed in the exchange of fire, while the second terrorist is reported to be hiding in the village,” the ADGP added.

With inputs from PTI