In another brazen attack, terrorists struck the residence of Purshotam Kumar, a Shaurya Chakra awardee and member of the Village Defence Guard (VDG), located in Gundha Khawas village, Budhal area of Rajouri district, in the early hours of this morning. The assailants lobbed grenades and opened fire at Kumar’s house and an adjacent Army security post around 3:10 am, injuring Kumar’s uncle Vijay Kumar and an Army soldier.
Kumar, known for his valor in eliminating a Pakistani terrorist last year, was not present during the attack. Security forces retaliated promptly, engaging the terrorists in a firefight. During the exchange, one terrorist was reportedly injured but managed to escape with his accomplices.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajouri, Randeep Kumar, along with police teams and reinforcements from the Army and paramilitary forces, swiftly reached the scene to conduct joint search operations. As of now, contact with the terrorists remains elusive.
Purshotam Kumar’s heroic actions last year earned him the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, awarded recently by the President in New Delhi. His proactive stance against terrorism has made him a target for militant groups operating in the region.
Residents of Gundha Khawas expressed shock over the attack, highlighting the rare occurrence of such violence in their otherwise peaceful area. Calls for enhancing the capabilities of VDGs with modern weaponry and communication technology have intensified, given the persistent threat of terrorism in the hilly regions of Jammu.
This incident marks the 14th terror attack in the Jammu region this year, resulting in casualties among security personnel and civilians, with efforts ongoing to neutralize the threat posed by militants operating in the area.
The situation remains tense as security forces continue their efforts to ensure the safety of local residents and preempt further terrorist activities in the region.
