SRINAGAR: An encounter took place between army personnel and terrorists in an isolated woodland region of Kishtwar earlier today.
The authorities, nevertheless, reassured devotees visiting the Machail Mata shrine in the district of sufficient protection and emphasized there was no cause for alarm.
The encounter lasted briefly as Police, aided by the Army and paramilitary units, initiated a sweep in Nownatta, Naagseni Peyaas, and surrounding regions after receiving intelligence regarding terrorist activity, the authorities stated.
Additional forces have been deployed to the region, and an operation is in progress to apprehend the terrorists who have retreated further into the woodland.
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The authorities mentioned that the recent encounter in Kishtwar did not affect the ongoing Machail Mata pilgrimage in the Paddar region.
“In the morning, a sweep was initiated at Peyaas in Naagseni. As a safety measure, traffic and pilgrim movement were temporarily halted. After a short interval, both the pilgrimage and traffic resumed without issues. There is no reason for alarm,” an official told The New Indian.
He mentioned that the district administration has encouraged all devotees to proceed confidently, as all essential protective measures have been implemented to ensure their security.
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The Machail Mata pilgrimage began on July 25 and is expected to end on September 5. Meanwhile, another encounter erupted between terrorists and security forces in the upper reaches of Basantgarh in Udhampur district later on Sunday evening.
The operation commenced after security forces established a cordon and initiated a search in the area. Contact was made with the concealed terrorists. “The operation is ongoing,” the official stated.
Several days ago, an encounter occurred in the Khaned area of Basantgarh, but the terrorists managed to evade capture.