Encounter breaks out in J&K’s Singhpora area of Kishtwar district, Jaish terrorists suspected trapped

New Delhi: A gunfight broke out on Sunday between security forces and terrorists in the Singhpora area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The encounter began after security forces launched a cordon and search operation following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

According to officials, the operation was underway when the hiding terrorists opened fire, prompting a retaliatory response from the forces. The firing continued as additional reinforcements were rushed to the spot and the area has been fully cordoned off to prevent any attempt by the terrorists to escape.

So far no casualties have been reported and further details are also awaited. As per the officials the encounter started around noon during a search operation in Sonnar village near Mandral-Songhoora in the Chatroo area. The security forces believe that three terrorists linked to the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit are likely trapped in the area. It is also learnt that grenades were lobbed at the security personnel during the exchange of fire.

The hilly and forested terrain of Kishtwar has made operations challenging, with terrorists often taking advantage of dense cover and nightfall to evade security forces.

Jammu division on high alert

The hilly districts of the Jammu and Kashmir division including Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi, have remained under close watch following intelligence inputs suggesting movement of Pakistani terrorists in the region. In recent months, joint teams of the police and the Army have carried out several operations in these districts.

While encounter have taken place in areas such as Kathua and Udhampur terrorists have at times managed to slip away using the difficult terrain to their advantage.