NEW DELHI: An encounter is under way in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district after security forces established contact with terrorists in the Majalta area, officials said on Tuesday.According to the IGP Jammu Zone, contact was established with terrorists at village Soan following specific input from the Jammu and Kashmir Police. In a post on X, the IGP Jammu Zone said, “On a precise input from JKP, contact established with terrorists at Village Soan, Majalta Udhampur. Joint team of SOG along with Army and CRPF on job.”Official sources said the gunfight broke out after joint teams of the Army, police and paramilitary forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Soan–Martha area of Majalta tehsil.“As the security forces intensified the search operation, the hiding terrorists opened fire, which was retaliated to, triggering an encounter,” an official said.The officials said gunshots were heard from the besieged village around 6 pm when security forces launched a search operation to track down the hiding terrorists.Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon and neutralize the terrorists, they added.He said intermittent firing was going on at the time of filing this report. Reinforcements have been rushed to the spot, and all escape routes have been plugged to prevent the terrorists from escaping, sources said.(With inputs from PTI)
