3 days before polling, Jammu rocked by two intense gunfights

Just three days ahead of the first phase of Assembly poll in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu region was rattled by two encounters in Kathua and Poonch districts. Meanwhile, a search operation continued in Kishtwar where two soldiers were killed in an encounter on Friday.

On Sunday morning, an encounter took place between ultras and security forces in Bani area of Kathua district. “Based on specific intelligence about presence of terrorists, search operation was launched by security forces in general area of Bani in jurisdiction of police station Bani of Kathua,” an official statement by the police read.

It stated that contact has been established and few rounds have been fired from both sides. “The area has been cordoned off,” the statement read. The encounter continued, as per officials, till evening.

It has been learnt that the gunfight was triggered in Nuknali area in Bani when the police along with Army reached the spot after receiving information about movement of at least 2-3 ultras. The joint search party of police and Army was fired upon by the terrorists who fled the spot after the incident. A search was launched thereafter.

Meanwhile, another encounter broke out in Gursai Top area of Mendhar in Poonch late on Saturday. The security forces had received the information of presence of ultras in the forest area after which a search was launched. The search party came under fire from the hiding ultras after which it was retaliated.

Heavy security was sent to the area to cordon it off. However, there was no exchange of gunfire since Sunday morning.

Security forces have increased vigil especially around the forest area in Jammu region where a large number of Pakistani terrorists are hiding. Two terrorists were gunned down in Khandara area of Kathua district on Wednesday. Kathua has become a major point of infiltration from the International Border (IB) after which terrorists reach upper reaches of Jammu region.

Meanwhile, a search operation continued in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district where two soldiers were killed during an encounter on Friday evening.

The incident occurred on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to adjoining Doda district. Kishtwar and Doda districts, which are infested with terrorists, will go to the polls on September 18 besides Ramban in Jammu region. Additional troops of Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in these areas for peaceful conduct of poll.