Security forces for the second consecutive day conducted massive searches in the forest area of Kishtwar to track down a group of terrorists hiding in a dense forest area.
The joint operation by the police and the army was launched on Sunday afternoon in Khankoo forest in Cherji area between Dachhan and Nagseni.
During the search operation, a brief encounter took place between the security forces and terrorists believed to be affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.
The top Hizb terrorists carrying a reward of Rs 30 lakhs each are suspected to be hiding in the forest area.
After the gunfight, reinforcements were rushed to the scene and a massive search operation was launched to neutralise the fleeing terrorists, officials said.
“The search operation was called off late Sunday evening. It resumed today morning with security forces deploying drones and sniffer dogs to relentlessly chase the trail to hunt down the terrorists, they said.
The officials said security forces have already plugged the escape routes and expanded the operation to nearby areas, but thick foliage and challenging topography pose a challenge to the search parties.