Army personnel hit as security forces, terrorists exchange fire in J&K’s Poonch

A search operation is underway as security forces and terrorists exchanged fire in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch on Tuesday. An Army personnel suffered injuries in the exchange of fire.

 

According to authorities, the brief exchange of fire took place in Lasana village in Poonch during the late hours of Monday. The search operation was launched based on intelligence inputs regarding terrorists’ presence in the area.

 

The White Knight Corps of India Army tweeted, “Op Lasana: Contact was established with #terrorists during a joint #operation with @JmuKmrPolice at #Lasana, #Surankote last night. Additional troops have been inducted, and search operations are ongoing to prevent the terrorists from escaping.”

 

Officials said an Army personnel suffered injuries in the exchange of fire and he was shifted to hospital immediately. 

 

The security operation comes days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Jammu and Kashmir this week. Modi will visit the Union territory on Saturday to inaugurate key railway projects. Security has been heightened in Jammu and Kashmir following his visit.

 

The prime minister will inaugurate the  Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project on April 19. The project includes the iconic Chenab rail bridge, the world’s highest arch railway bridge. The stretch enables direct rail connectivity between Kashmir and New Delhi. Modi will also flag off two Vande Bharat trains on the day.

 

 

Security forces had gunned down three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in Chhatru forest areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar recently. The slain terrorists include top JeM commander Saifullah, who was active in the Chenab Valley region for the past one year.

 

 

 

 

 

India