Gunfight erupts yet again in Jammu

SRINAGAR: Even as additional troops have been rushed to the Jammu region and security tightened to tackle the growing militancy, an encounter broke out between militants and security forces in the forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Tuesday.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Udhampur-Reasi Range, Raees Bhat said a specific input was received regarding militants’ movement in Khaned, part of the Basantgarh forest area. “Security forces launched a search operation in the wee hours today. During the search operation, contact was established with the militants hiding in the forest area,” he said.

ADGP Jammu Anand Jain said an exchange of fire took place between the two sides. A security official said it is suspected that a group of two to four Pakistani militants are trapped in the security forces cordon. After the initial exchange of gunfire, additional contingents of police, CRPF and army men were rushed to the forest area to tighten the siege and prevent militants from escaping deep into the forest area, he said.