Jammu,  7 Jan 

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in a remote area of Kathua on Wednesday evening, officials said.

The exchange of fire began at Kahog village in the Billawar area after security forces launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs indicating the presence of two to three terrorists in the region.

Inspector General of Police (Jammu), Bhim Sen Tuti, said that the Special Operations Group (SOG) Kathua had engaged terrorists in the forest area of Kamadh Nullah.

According to sources, a terrorist was sighted by locals around 4 pm at Kamadh Nallah under the Billawar police station limits. Officials believe it could be the same individual spotted earlier in the day at Dhannu Parole.

Additional security personnel have been rushed to the area, and the operation is ongoing to neutralise the terrorists, officials said.

The Indian government has said that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing, since the Pahalgam attack last year.