Srinagar, Sept 22: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district of Jammu division and till late Sunday firing was going on both sides, officials said.
The encounter continues after contact was established between the security forces and terrorists on Saturday.
A police officer said in continuation of the earlier joint search operation launched by security forces near the Danna Dhar forests in the upper reaches of Chatroo area (J/D of P/S Chatroo) district Kishtwar, firing has resumed as contact has been established. Fire exchanged from both sides, he said.
The officer said based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched by security forces at the area that falls in Chatroo.
“The contact has been established and few rounds have been fired from both sides. Area cordoned off and further details awaited,” he said.
The officer said hiding terrorists opened fire on the security personnel, who retaliated, thereby triggering a gunfight. Firing has stopped now, search operation has been intensified.
“Entire area is still under tight security cordon to neutralise the terrorists. They have also deployed additional companies to the nearby areas” he said.
He said it may be the same group of terrorists that was roaming in the region. They have recently infiltrated through IB. We are hopeful that we will succeed in eliminating the entire group of terrorists involved in this attack.
The officer said night vision drones, choppers and more troops have arrived in the area to track the movement of terrorists.
Earlier on Saturday, District Police Kishtwar, in a post on X, said exchange of fire has taken place between search teams of security forces and hiding terrorists near Danna Dhar Forest area, upper reaches of Gurinal village under the jurisdiction of Police Station Chhatroo, District Kishtwar.
On Sep 14, an Army soldier was injured during an encounter with terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district and it was the second attempt within the past one month.
The encounter comes days ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on September 25, and the final phase on October 1.
