An army officer and four other soldiers were killed in action during an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Monday, officials said.
Sources said a heavy gunfight was underway in the Surankote area with at least four to five heavily armed terrorists who crossed into the country a few days ago.
The anti-insurgency operation was launched in a village close to Dera Ki Gali in the early hours following intelligence inputs about their presence, they said.
Hiding terrorists fired on the search parties resulting in a fierce gunfight and critical injuries to a Junior Commissioned Officer or JCO and four other soldiers.
A defence spokesperson said , The encounter with the terrorists was going on and further details are awaited .
Reinforcements had been rushed to the area to plug all escape routes to ensure the terrorists are neutralised, they said.
The incident comes amid increase in terrorist acitivity in kashmir in valley in recent weeks .
