Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir – March 29, 2025- In a tragic yet heroic chapter of Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing battle against terrorism, Constable Balwinder Singh Chib, a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, laid down his life during a fierce encounter with Pakistani terrorists in Kathua district on March 28, 2025. Balwinder, who joined the police force in 2000 under a special border recruitment drive spearheaded by then-SSP R R Swain—now Director General of Police —has been hailed as a martyr whose sacrifice embodies a proud family legacy of service to the nation.
The encounter, which unfolded in the remote forested area of Juthana in Rajbagh, saw a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group , the Indian Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force neutralise three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists. However, the operation came at a heavy cost, with Balwinder and two other policemen, Jaswant Singh and Tariq Ahmed, succumbing to injuries sustained in the intense firefight. Seven other security personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a para commando, were also injured.
Balwinder’s journey into the police force began 25 years ago during a recruitment initiative aimed at strengthening security along the volatile border regions. Under the leadership of SSP R R Swain, the drive targeted young men from border villages like Chak Hariya, where Balwinder hailed from, instilling in them a sense of duty to protect the nation. His service culminated in this ultimate sacrifice, a moment that has left his family and community grappling with both grief and pride.
An uncle of Balwinder, an ex-serviceman who chose to remain unnamed, spoke to reporters outside the family home in Kanna Chak, a part of Chak Hariya village. “He sacrificed his life for the nation. Today, our family stands tall with pride. Bharat Mata Ki Jai!” he said, his voice steady despite the sorrow. “His sacrifice has made the country proud.” The family’s history of valor stretches back generations, with Balwinder’s great-grandfather, Prakash Singh Chib, earning the Victoria Cross in World War I before his martyrdom, and an uncle, Pritam Singh Chib, losing his life in the line of duty with the Border Security Force.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “Pride and grief intertwine as we remember Balwinder Singh Chib, Jaswant Singh, and Tariq Ahmed, who laid down their lives during an anti-terror operation in Kathua. Their sacrifice in the line of duty will always be remembered.” Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha also paid tribute, saluting the “valorous martyrs” and affirming that the operation had neutralized “several terrorists.”
The encounter began early Thursday morning after intelligence reports confirmed the presence of a group of heavily armed terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border. Initial sightings in the Hiranagar sector on March 23 had triggered a massive search operation, which culminated in the deadly clash in Kathua’s Ghati Heights. DGP Nalin Prabhat, who oversaw the operation on the ground, briefed the media, noting that the terrorists had opened fire from an advantageous position as security forces closed in.
As the nation mourns the loss of its brave sons, Balwinder Singh Chib’s sacrifice stands as a testament to the courage of those who guard India’s frontiers. His village, still reeling from the news, has become a focal point of both sorrow and honor, with locals recalling the Chib family’s unparalleled legacy. “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” echoed through Chak Hariya, a rallying cry that encapsulates the pride and pain of a community forever changed.