An encounter has erupted between terrorists and security forces in Akar forests of Patnitop in Udhampur district on Tuesday evening while security forces continued search operation in dense forests of Kokernag in Anantnag district for 4th consecutive day to track down the group of terrorists who were involved in recent encounter in which two soldiers were killed.
"Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and JKP was launched in Akar Forest near Patnitop,” an army official said.
He said during the search operation contact has been established with the terrorists.
“There was an exchange of gunfire and an operation is in progress,” he said.
Meanwhile, security forces continued the search operation in dense forest area of Kokernag for the 4th consecutive day today.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir V K Birdi said search operation to track down the hiding terrorist in Kokernag forest area is continuing.
“The search operation is still underway and has not yet reached its logical conclusion”, Birdi told reporters.
The IGP said there has been no contact with the militants since Saturday evening.
On Saturday evening, an encounter took place in the mountainous forests of Ahlan Gadole area of Kokernag, located at an altitude of 10,000 ft in which two soldiers and a civilian were killed. Another soldier and civilian were injured and they have been hospitalised.
After the gunfight, the militants managed to escape into the deep forests.
The IGP said security forces are conscious and vigilantly undertaking the search operation
“The militants are trying to create an unpleasant situation. The security set up is being metered or toned up keeping in view the adversaries plans,” he said.
The IGP said the role of two civilians is also being investigated.
“It is being probed what the two civilians were doing near the encounter site,” he said.
The searches have also been extended in Doda-Bhaderwah in Jammu region as the forest area in Anantnag where the gun battle took place is close to that area.
Police suspect that three to four foreign militants are believed to be hiding in the dense forest area.