Poonch: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the army and a soldier were killed in an encounter that broke out between militants and security forces in Bhata Dhurian village area located along Jammu – Rajouri-Poonch national highway near Bhimber Gali area of Mendhar sub division on Thursday.
In the backdrop of anti- militancy operation in Dehra Ki Gali forest area on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch, security forces launched the cordon and search operation in Bhata Dhurian forest of Mendhar which is adjacent to the Dehra Ki Gali forest ridge on Thursday, an official told KNO.
“During searches, the contact was established between Army and militants in which fierce exchange of fire took place," the official said.
"One JCO of Army and a soldier sustained injuries who were evacuated to nearby hospital where both succumbed," he added.
The operation is still on and the entire area is under tight cordon.
The anti-militancy operation launched at Dehra Ki Gali forest on the other hand entered its fourth consecutive day on Thursday.
On October 12, five soldiers, including a junior commissioned officer (JCO), were killed in an exchange of fire with heavily armed militants in the same area.
The army continued its extensive search operations to track down the group.
“The ambit of the cordon was widened and nearby areas were covered as well by the troops. Fresh contact was established with the militants in the evening."
However,defence sources said it is not clear whether the group involved in the fresh encounter was the same that killed five soldiers or the new one.
Meanwhile, the traffic has also been suspended on the Poonch-Rajouri highway as a precautionary measure.
(KNO)
