Pakistani Terrorist Eliminated In Army, J&K Police Joint Op After JCO Dies During Operation Sheri Kalan In Poonch
The ambush was readjusted and the terrorist was challenged resulting in terrorist opening indiscriminate fire. Image courtesy: RNA
Less than a week after troops of Indian Army’s White Knight Corps recovered explosives under Operation Sheri Kalan, a decorated Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) lost his life during the operation in Poonch. JCO Subedar Sandeep Kumar Dhaka died on Saturday afternoon (March 14, 2026) during the anti-terror operation in the rugged terrain of Poonch.
This comes as India’s security forces were engaged in intense anti-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir over the weekend, resulting in the elimination of a Pakistani terrorist in the Uri sector, after the JCO was martyred. According to the Army’s White Knight Corps, the soldier slipped and fell while operating in the challenging mountainous terrain.
Operation Sheri Kalan: JCO dies in Poonch
In a statement, Army’s White Knight Corps stated, “While operating in the challenging and rugged terrain during prolonged operations in the general area of Poonch at about 2.30 pm, Subedar Sandeep Kumar Dhaka slipped and fell on ground and subsequently became unresponsive.”
He was immediately evacuated to the Military Hospital at Potha, but despite intensive medical efforts, he could not be revived. Paying tribute to the fallen soldier, the White Knight Corps said, “We pay solemn tribute to the unwavering courage, steadfast devotion and selfless service of the departed soldier. In this moment of profound grief, we stand firmly with the bereaved family and honour the memory of a warrior who served the nation till his last breath.”
This comes just a few days after on March 11, alert troops of White Knight Corps in Gen Area Poonch, along with search parties recovered approximately 4 kg of explosives and stale cooked food concealed inside a natural cave. “The explosives are being destroyed in situ,” the army said, adding this recovery highlights sustained operational vigilance and proactive efforts to neutralise terrorist logistics and safe havens.
Pakistani terrorist killed in Uri sector
In a separate development, security forces eliminated a Pakistani terrorist during a joint anti-infiltration operation in the Buchhar area of the Uri sector in north Kashmir. The operation was launched during the intervening night of March 14-15 after Jammu and Kashmir Police shared specific intelligence about a possible infiltration attempt from across the Line of Control.
According to the Army, troops noticed suspicious movement in a thicket during the surveillance operation and quickly repositioned their ambush to intercept the suspect.
“When challenged, the terrorist opened indiscriminate fire, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. In the contact, a Pakistani terrorist was eliminated,” the Army said.
Weapons and ammunition recovered
Security forces recovered warlike stores from the site of the encounter, including An AK rifle, pistols, a large quantity of ammunition. According to officials, a search operation is still underway in the area to rule out the presence of additional militants.
The twin developments highlight the persistent attempts by terrorist groups to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir from across the Line of Control, even as security forces maintain tight counter-infiltration grids.
