Behind encounter in Kathua: A missing guide, two terrorists who lost their way

At Saida, the two were killed by security forces in an encounter that took place on June 11 and 12. A CRPF personnel was also killed in the encounter.

The detained persons, residents of Bathal Chak village in Hiranagar, had claimed that they had come across the militants incidentally, and on being asked, told them the way to the house of the terror associate. According to sources, police and security forces were not convinced by this version of events, particularly as they did not inform authorities about the incident even after the two militants were killed in the encounter.

Police sources said searches were in progress for two more persons, one in whose house the militants stayed for a night and another who was to guide them to the mountains of Udhampur, from where they would have headed either to Doda district or the Kashmir Valley.

Sources said the militants, after crossing the International Border into Hiranagar sector, were guided to the house of a terror associate at Sherpur village by the two detained persons. They stayed at the house for a night, and the next morning, were to be met by a guide, who did not turn up.

So, the two militants proceeded towards the forests of Udhampur district on their own. Without a local guide, they lost their way and reached Saida village, where they knocked at a door for water.

Residents of the village raised the alarm after seeing them, which resulted in the arrival of the security forces and the ensuing of the encounter in which the two were killed.