Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Khandara area of Kathua district on Wednesday. A US-made M4 carbine, an AK-47 rifle and warlike stores were seized by the officials. The terrorists are believed to…

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Khandara area of Kathua district on Wednesday. A US-made M4 carbine, an AK-47 rifle and warlike stores were seized by the officials. The terrorists are believed to be from the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit.

The operation started in the morning when the Army and Jammu and Kashmir police received information regarding the presence of a group of 3-4 ultras in a forest area. The area, having thick vegetation, is located close to Basantgarh in Udhampur district. Pakistan-trained terrorists usually take the Basantgarh route to other areas of the Jammu region after entering from the International Border in Kathua.

A statement issued by the Rising Star Corps of the Army read, “Two terrorists were neutralised in the ongoing operation at Khandara in Kathua by the troops of Rising Star Corps. The operation is in progress.”

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Soon -after the information regarding the presence of the ultras was received, the Army units comprising Special Forces and Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K police reached the spot and began a search operation. Sniffer dogs and quadcopters were also used in the search.

As per the initial statement of the J&K police, a joint search operation was launched by the security forces based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the area under the Basantgarh police station. “Contact has been established and few rounds have been fired from both sides. The area was cordoned off,” it read.

Soldiers from 1 Para and 22 Garhwal Rifles took part in the operation. The security forces received a volley of bullets from the terrorists, however, no one was injured in the initial attack.