Jammu, Jan 26: A fresh encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir late Sunday night, officials said.
This is the third encounter in the Chatroo belt of the hilly district in the past week, as the Army and police continue their operation against a group of three Pakistani terrorists believed to be linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit. The search is underway despite heavy snowfall in the area.
The latest exchange of fire began around 10.20 pm when a joint team of the Army and police was conducting a search operation in the Janseer–Kandiwar forest area. As security forces moved in, terrorists opened fire, prompting retaliation. Intermittent firing continued as the situation unfolded.
Officials said the forces have maintained pressure on the terrorists since the first gunfight on January 18 in Sonnar village near Mandral–Singhpora. In that encounter, a paratrooper was killed and seven other soldiers were injured.
Although the terrorists managed to escape earlier by taking advantage of dense forest cover and difficult terrain, they were intercepted again a few kilometres away on January 22. However, they evaded capture once more.
Security forces have continued the operation even as the Chatroo belt received more than two feet of snowfall on Friday. Search operations are ongoing.
