Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit the Jammu region tomorrow.

The Army called in tanks to eliminate any remaining terrorist who might still be hiding in a bunker as the operation continued till late this evening. The state witnessed a record 71 per cent voting in the first phase of Assembly polls two days ago. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address two election rallies in Udhampur and Poonch tomorrow.

The terrorists infiltrated 3 km inside the Indian territory and opened indiscriminate firing on Territorial Army jawans, who intercepted them at a Ditch-Cum-Bundh (DCB) line.

Security agencies have been put on high alert in all districts of the region, particularly those along the Jammu-Srinagar Highway.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who questioned the timing of the attack saying it could not be a coincidence, wrote on a micro-blogging site: “All check posts along the national highway in Jammu and other sensitive locations have been placed on high alert.”

“Three Army soldiers have been martyred, while four civilians have also lost their lives.

Besides, three terrorists have been gunned down by security forces so far. The operation is still on,” said Lt Col Manish Mehta, PRO (Defence) Jammu.

Sources said a group of terrorists infiltrated into the Indian side near Pindi post on the night of November 26 and 27.

“Terrorists changed their dresses and wore Army fatigues under a bridge and moved towards the civilian areas. Four pairs of shoes, clothes and some other items left behind by the terrorists have been recovered,” a source said. They opened fire on Army jawans at Pindi Kathar village of Jammu district, resulting in the death of a jawan.