Army officer, jawan critically injured in counter terror op in J&K's poonch district

The ongoing gun battle between the army and terrorists erupted in Poonch-Rajouri forests in the evening, four days after five security personnel were killed in action.

The Jammu-Poonch-Rajouri highway has been closed due to the encounter.

“A fresh gunfight has resumed this evening with a group of terrorists already hiding in the forests of Rajouri-Poonch districts,” a defence spokesperson said.

“In an ongoing Counter Terrorist operation in general area Nar Khas Forest, Mendhar Sub Division of District Poonch there has been exchange of fire between army troops and terrorists during evening hours on Thursday,” he said.

The spokesperson said that during the ensuing exchange of fire one JCO and one soldier have been critically injured.

The operations were under progress till last received updates.

Officials said the encounter is underway with the same group of terrorists who fired on a group of security personnel late night on Oct 10.

An army officer and four other soldiers were killed in action during the encounter in Dera Ki Gali (DKG) in Surankote area of Poonch district.

The encounter stretched to Rajouri district. However, searches were being carried out for the last four days to trace the armed terrorists hiding in the woods along the Line of Control.

The Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force had claimed responsibility for the Oct 10 late night attack.

[With UNI inputs]