Jammu/Udhampur, Dec 16: A policeman was killed and two more Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel were injured during an encounter between terrorists and security forces in the remote forest area of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The encounter broke out on Monday evening at Soan village in the Majalta area after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists. Officials said the terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, opened fire on the search party, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.
During the initial exchange, one SOG jawan sustained critical injuries and later succumbed. Subsequently, two more SOG personnel were injured in the operation, officials said, as per news gathering agency KNC. One terrorist is also believed to have been injured during the gunfight.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, said a joint team of the SOG, Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is conducting the operation. He said the encounter was established after police received precise intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the area.
Officials said a small SOG team first engaged the terrorists, but the combing operation was hampered due to darkness and the treacherous terrain. Firing later stopped, but the entire area has been placed under a tight security cordon, with all possible escape routes sealed.
Reinforcements have been rushed to the spot, and search operations are continuing to neutralise the holed-up terrorists. The operation is being pursued cautiously, given the difficult terrain and security considerations. Further details are awaited.
