A gunfight broke out between security forces and terrorists in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Sunday, just days before the voting for the upcoming 2024 Assembly elections. The encounter began when security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on information about the possibility of terrorists being present in the area, an official said on Sunday.
Acting on a tip off, a joint search operation was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir police in the Pathanateer area near Gursai top in Mendhar sub-division on Saturday evening, according to news agency PTI.
The search party reportedly came under fire from the hiding terrorists, triggering a gunfight. "Intermittent exchange of fire is on between both the sides, following which reinforcements were rushed to the area" the report quoted an official as saying.
Further details are awaited.
This comes a day after three terrorists were killed on Saturday following an overnight gunbattle with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district. Prior to that troops of the Rising Star Corps shot dead two terrorists in a separate encounter in Kathua on Friday. On Friday, two Indian Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.
Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir from 18 September to 1 October 2024 in 3 phases to elect 90 members Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 8 October 2024. Campaigning is on in Jammu and Kashmir for the three-phase Assembly elections which are being held after 10 years.