SRINAGAR: A fresh exchange of fire occurred between security forces and armed militants in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir late on Sunday night, officials said.
The encounter marks the third such gunfight in the Chatroo area of the hilly district within the past week, as joint teams of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police continue sustained search operations.
Officials said the latest firing took place around 10:20 pm when a joint search party was conducting an operation in the Janseer Kandiwar forest area. The forces came under fire during the operation and responded, resulting in intermittent gunfire.
Despite challenging weather and snow-covered terrain in the Chatroo belt, security forces have maintained pressure following an earlier gunfight on January 18 in Sonnar village near Mandral Singhpora, which resulted in the death of a paratrooper and injuries to seven soldiers.
Officials said the militants had initially evaded capture by using dense forest cover and difficult terrain but were later intercepted a few kilometres away during another encounter on January 22, though no major breakthrough was achieved.
Search operations have continued despite heavy snowfall, with some areas reporting over two feet of snow, complicating movement and operational efforts.
Authorities said the situation remains under close observation and operations are ongoing. (KNT)
