A gunbattle between militants and security forces took place in North Kashmir’s Bandipore on Tuesday morning, said Army officials. This is eighth such encounter in Kashmir Valley this month as security forces have intensified anti-militancy operations. Based on intelligence inputs…

Adil Akhzer Our Correspondent

A gunbattle between militants and security forces took place in North Kashmir’s Bandipore on Tuesday morning, said Army officials. This is eighth such encounter in Kashmir Valley this month as security forces have intensified anti-militancy operations.

Based on intelligence inputs regarding presence of terrorists, security forces launched a search operation in Nagmarg forest of Bandipore district, they said.

The forest area where the exchange of fire took place is situated in the middle of north Kashmir’s Bandipore and Kupwara districts and close to the Line of Control.

Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps wrote on X that the forces had received inputs about the presence of militants in the area. “On 12 November 24, based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a joint operation launched by Army, police in general area Nagmarg, Bandipore,” the Army wrote on X.

It said “suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged terrorists opened indiscriminate fire.”

“Own troops effectively retaliated. Operation is in progress,” Army said. Security sources said additional forces were sent to the area to hunt down the militants.

After militants carried out several attacks in the Kashmir Valley, the security forces have intensified the anti-militancy operations across the Valley and even conducting cordon and search operations in the forest areas, where militants are believed to be hiding.

Not only in Kashmir, the security forces are conducting anti-terrorist operations in Jammu region as well, where over the last few weeks, militants have carried several attacks on security forces.

8th incident in valley

• Based on intelligence inputs regarding presence of terrorists, the security forces launched a search operation in Nagmarg forest of Bandipore district
• Eighth such encounter in the Kashmir valley in November as the security forces have intensified anti-militancy operations
• The area is situated in the middle of north Bandipore and Kupwara districts and is close to LoC