Exchange of fire between army and suspected terrorists in J&K

An exchange of fire took place between the army and two suspected terrorists in a village in Ramban district along the Jammu-Kishtwar national highway on Saturday, following which a massive search operation was launched in the area.

After a driver of a civilian vehicle informed the force about the presence of two suspicious individuals on the highway, the terrorists fired at the quick reaction team of the army.

“Today (Saturday) morning at about 7.30 am, two suspicious individuals tried to stop a civilian vehicle at the general area Batote on the highway. The driver was alert, did not stop the vehicle and rushed and informed the nearest Army post,” an army official said.

“The quick reaction team reacted promptly and contact was established with the suspicious individuals. An exchange of fire took place and further details are awaited,” he added.

The officials said the terrorists hurled a grenade and followed it by firing soon after noticing the quick reaction team of the Army at Dharmund village. Reinforcements from the Army and police have rushed to the spot and the whole area has been cordoned off to neutralize the suspected terrorists who tried to flee after the initial exchange of firing.

There was no immediate report of any casualty in the incident. The movement of the traffic on the highway was stopped following the incident as a precautionary measure as search operations ensue.