Gunfight erupts between security forces and militants during search operation in J&K's Poonch

A gunfight broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district in the wee hours of Sep 15, police said.

“Intermittent exchange of firing between forces and the hiding terrorists is still on in Pathanateer area of district’s Mendhar sub-division,” Mumtaz Ahmad, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch told Education Post.

“The gunfight erupted after a few gunshots were heard while a joint team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Police and the Army was busy conducting a search operation in the area late last evening,” he added.

The security forces launched a cordon and search operation on Sep 14 evening following inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

“I cannot share more details about the operation as it is still ongoing. We are sparing no efforts to neutralize the terrorists engaged in the fight. It is too early to say how many terrorists are involved in the gunfight,” SSP said.

“Reinforcements were rushed early morning to the area to ensure that terrorists have no chance whatsoever to escape the cordon,” he added.

The Poonch encounter comes a day after three terrorists were killed in an overnight gunfight with security forces in Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Amid heightened security, Jammu and Kashmir is gearing up for much-awaited assembly polls starting Sep 18, after a decade.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir Range Vidhi Kumar Birdi told reports on Sep 14 that the terrorists would not be allowed to disrupt polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The forces are on high alert and terrorists won’t be allowed to hamper the electoral process,” he added.