Jammu, Jan 22: A fresh encounter erupted between security forces and holed-up terrorists during an ongoing search operation in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, officials said.
The operation was launched in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt on Sunday, triggering a gunfight that resulted in one paratrooper’s death and injuries to seven other soldiers.
Security forces established fresh contact with the terrorists in the dense forests of Singhpora this morning, officials added. Heavy firing between the two sides was ongoing when last reports came in, with efforts underway to neutralise the terrorists operating in the area.
A major terrorist hideout was unearthed near the encounter site on Monday, and several individuals were detained for questioning, the officials said.
Two to three terrorists, allegedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), are believed to be trapped in the ongoing operation.
