An encounter broke out between the militants and security forces in the Dudu-Basantgargh area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Thursday, officials said.
An official said that security forces had launched a cordon and search operation following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
He said that as the forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, hiding militants opened fire, which was retaliated against, triggering a fierce encounter.
“Exchange of fire is going on, while further details will be shared accordingly,” the official said.
Subsequently, the search for militants continues in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district with the Romeo force of the Indian Army, along with the Special Operation Group (SOG), battling the dense forests and rugged mountains to establish contact and kill the hiding militants.
The search has been ongoing since April 15 and has entered its 10th day on Thursday.
The security forces have sealed off the area and plugged all possible escape routes while extensive combing operations are being conducted in the dense forests.
According to officials, militants opened fire on the Romeo Force personnel, in which one of the security personnel got injured near the Lasana village located on the National Highway connecting Poonch to Jammu.
Meanwhile, the security forces have heightened alertness on the Jammu-Rajouri-Pooch Highway 144.
Rajouri Traffic Police officer Ahmed Din said, “We are checking local cars by checking their licenses. We are not allowing a loaded truck as it may create a jam. Traffic Police are there, the District Police are there, and the Army is also supporting us. 24/7 nakas are there.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian army’s Chinar Corps thwarted an infiltration attempt in Baramulla by killing two and recovering war-like stores from the possession of the dead infiltrators, officials said.
Also Read: Terror in Pahalgam: Nation nourns, hunt for killers on
Taking to a social media post on X, Chinar Corps stated that they had recovered two AK Series Rifles, five Magazines, one Pistol, ten Kg of RCIED, and other war-like stores from the district.
“Update: OP TIKKA, Baramulla: Two AK Series Rifles, five Magazines, one Pistol, ten kilograms of RCIED, and other war-like stores have been recovered from the site. Identity of terrorists is being ascertained,” Chinar Corps posted on X on Wednesday.
In the aftermath of one of the worst terror attacks in J&K, Pahalgam, security forces launched multiple operations to kill the militants across the Kashmir valley on Wednesday.
Terrorists’ movement near the LOC was tracked, and when they crossed the LOC at around 3 am. After a continuous exchange of fire for two hours, the security forces ambushed and killed two terrorists. 2 AK rifles, one 9mm Chinese pistol, magazines, and large quantities of ammunition were recovered from both terrorists.
As many as 26 people were killed in the attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.
The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
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