Gunfight in Poonch: Security Forces Confront Terrorists in Ongoing Operation
NEW DELHI: A gunfight broke out between security forces and terrorists in the remote Pathanateer area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday evening, officials confirmed. The operation was launched by a joint team of the Army and police, following intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists near Gursai Top in Mendhar sub-division. As the search team approached the suspected location, they came under fire, triggering a gun battle, the official stated. The exchange of fire continues, and additional forces have been deployed to the area.
Simultaneously, security forces ramped up anti-terror operations across Kishtwar, Udhampur, Poonch, and Rajouri districts on Saturday, in response to recent encounters in which two soldiers were killed and two terrorists neutralised. In Kishtwar district, a joint operation in the forests of Pingnal Dugadda, in the Chhatroo belt, entered its second day. Reinforcements joined search teams to track down the terrorists responsible for killing two Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and injuring two others in a previous gunfight.
A vast area has been cordoned off, with security forces deploying drones and other advanced equipment to locate the terrorists, who fled under the cover of darkness and dense foliage. However, no fresh contact with the terrorists has been reported. Meanwhile, a large-scale search operation is ongoing in the upper reaches of Khandara Top, Kudwah, and Raichak in Udhampur district. This follows the elimination of two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists on 11 September.
Similar search operations are being carried out in the forested areas of Surankote in Poonch, as well as in Nowshera and Thanamandi in Rajouri district. Additionally, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Baramulla’s Chak Tapper Kreeri Pattan area on Friday night. “Encounter has started at Chak Tapper Kreeri Pattan area of Baramulla. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” the Kashmir Zone Police announced in a post on X.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.