Jammu, 18 July

Two terrorists have been gunned down as an encounter broke out near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday.

Meanwhile, two army personnel were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forest village in Doda district early Thursday, officials said, as security forces continued their operations despite inclement weather and challenging terrain.

The gunfight, lasting more than an hour, took place at Jaddan Bata village in the Kastigarh area at around 2am when terrorists opened fire on a temporary security camp established in a government school for the ongoing search operations, the officials said.

A defence spokesperson said one of the critically injured soldiers was evacuated to Udhampur-based command hospital by an advanced light helicopter (ALH) despite challenging weather conditions. "Swift action by ALH from Air Force Station, Udhampur saved a critically injured soldier's life in Doda (J&K). Despite challenging weather, the evacuation was successful, ensuring timely medical care at Command Hospital, Udhampur. Kudos to the team for their dedication & bravery,” PRO Defence Jammu posted on X.

Separately, security forces guarding a forward post opened fire after observing suspicious movement near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district late Wednesday night.

The area was searched on Thursday morning but nothing linked to suspicious movement was found on the ground, the officials said.

In Doda, a massive search operation is underway following the killing of four army personnel, including a captain in Desa forests during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, the officials said. Security forces are determined to eliminate the terrorists and restore peace in the area, they added. "All security forces on the ground are engaged in a well-coordinated operation against terrorists with whom we had contact yesterday and today as well. The operation is under progress and we will get success soon,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar, Ramban range, Shridhar Patil told reporters in Kastigarh.

However, he refused to share more details citing the continuation of the operation. The officials said two army personnel were injured when the terrorists attacked the forces camping inside the school building before fleeing into the dense forest area.

Heavy rains and dense fog added to the challenge as the security forces continued their manhunt for the fleeing terrorists – who are believed to be the same group which killed four army personnel. A massive search operation was launched in Desa and adjoining forest areas following the killing of the army personnel.

The operation entered its fourth day on Thursday and also witnessed a brief exchange of fire at two places in Desa forests on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Doda district, which was cleared of terrorism in 2005, has witnessed a series of attacks since June 12 when six security personnel were injured in a terror attack in Chattergala pass, followed by a firefight in Gandoh the next day which left one policeman injured.

Three terrorists were killed in a day-long operation in the Gandoh area of the district on 26 June, while another encounter occurred in Ghadi Bhagwah forest on 9 July. A total of 27 people, including 11 security personnel, a village defence guard, and five terrorists, were killed in nearly a dozen terror attacks in six districts of Jammu province since the beginning of this year. The dead also included seven pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district on 9 June.