Jammu: A forested area in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir was shaken by intermittent gunfire throughout Sunday after security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence about the presence of two highly wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, officials said.
The initial encounter occurred around 6:30 am in the Bhagna forest of the Dool area when terrorists opened fire upon spotting a Rashtriya Rifles search party, the officials stated.
Security forces retaliated, and the firefight continued for some time before the terrorists retreated deeper into the forest.
Reinforcements from the Army, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police, and the CRPF arrived promptly, tightening the cordon around the suspected location in an effort to neutralize the terrorists, officials added.
Two more exchanges of fire took place during the day, but no casualties were reported.
The operation was launched after specific intelligence identified Riyaz Ahmad and Mudassar Hazari — two local terrorists active in the district for the past eight years — as present in the area.
The duo had previously evaded an encounter with security forces in the Hadal Gal forest in Cherji on July 20.
Earlier on Sunday, the Army’s White Knight Corps, via an X post, confirmed that alert troops, conducting an intelligence-based operation, had made contact with terrorists in the early hours and exchanged fire.
The Army said the operation is ongoing.
