Security cordon tightened as encounter ends in J-K's Doda

Jammu, July 9

Security forces tightened their cordon around a forest area in the higher reaches of Doda district on Tuesday evening following an encounter with hiding terrorists, officials said.

Preliminary information revealed that at least two terrorists were hit by the retaliatory action and it is premature to say whether they are dead or injured, a police officer said.

The gunfight between the two sides began in the Ghadi Bhagwah forest, 35 km east of Doda town bordering Kishtwar district, on Tuesday evening when police assisted by the Army launched a joint search and cordon operation after a tipoff about the presence of terrorists in the area, the officials said.

Heavy firing continued for a couple of hours before the guns fell silent, the police officer said.

He said the search operation was temporarily suspended for the night and will be resumed on Wednesday morning to get a clear picture of the situation.

The encounter in Doda comes barely a day after five army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, were killed and an equal number injured in an ambush by terrorists in Kathua district.