2 encounters between terrorists & troops in Poonch, Kathua districts

AHEAD of the first phase of three-phase Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, two gunfights broke out on Sunday between militants and security forces in border districts of Poonch and Kathua in Jammu region.

- FAYAZ WANI

A security official said a gunfight erupted in Poonch district when militants fired on the joint search party of police and army in the forest area of Pathanateer area. "The exchange of gunfire between the two sides continued for some time. Militants then moved into the dense forest area," the official said, adding that additional troops have been rushed to the area. The security forces were using drones and other surveillance gadgets to track down the movement of militants hiding in the forest area. "The search operation was going on when re