4 police personnel killed in encounter with terrorists in J&K
What's the story
An encounter between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district has left multiple police personnel dead, with reports indicating either three or four deaths.
The clash also killed two terrorists, while three or four others remain untraceable.
Apart from the fatalities, five other security personnel were injured in the operation and are undergoing treatment.
Search operation
Extensive search operations lead to deadly encounter
The encounter took place on Thursday amid an ongoing massive anti-terror operation following reports that terrorists were hiding out in a densely forested area in Juthana.
Security forces, including the Army, National Security Guard (NSG), Border Security Force (BSF), Special Operations Group (SOG), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been carrying out extensive searches in the area for five days.
Escape
Terrorists escape but leave behind evidence
Prior to Thursday, there had also been an exchange of fire on Sunday, and a local resident had told the police on Tuesday that two men in army uniform had approached her for water.
At least five terrorists were cornered in Sanyal forests on Sunday. They escaped after a fierce gun battle with police and reached Juthana, 20km away.
However, they left behind magazines of US-made M4 rifles at the first encounter site, signaling their use of advanced weapons.
Ongoing operations
Security forces continue search operation amid ongoing gunfire
After four days of intensive searches, firing exchanges resumed on Thursday between security forces and terrorists in Kathua district.
Officials said, "Contact has been re-established with militants in the forest area of Sufain under Police Station Rajbagh in Kathua."
The search operation, which started in the Sanyal village of Hiranagar Tehsil, has now moved to other adjoining areas due to no response from terrorists after initial firing.