Several soldiers were injured after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in a remote forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said. The gunfight erupted around noon during a cordon and search operation launched at the village Sonnar near Mandral-Singhoora in the Chhatru area.
According to sources, terrorists opened fire on the search party, prompting an immediate retaliation by the security forces. Following the exchange of fire, the entire area was cordoned off, and additional reinforcements from the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to the spot to strengthen the operation.
Contact was established with terrorists in the general area Son Nar, northeast of Chhatru, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror operations along with Jammu and Kashmir Police," Indian Army's White Knight Corps posted on X (formerly Twitter).
"Troops displayed exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions. Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies," it added.
Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists trapped
According to the sources, a group of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists is believed to be trapped in the area. However, official confirmation regarding the identity and number of terrorists is still awaited.
Security agencies said the situation is being closely monitored and further details will be shared as the operation progresses.
This is the third encounter between security forces and terrorists in Jammu region this year. Earlier, two encounters were reported in Kahog and Najote forests in Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13.
On December 15, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in Majalta area of Udhampur district but the terrorists managed to escape taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness. The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation in the forest belts of Jammu region, launched in December last year, to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists, officials said.
(Input: Rahi Kapoor)
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