In the Pathanateer area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, where political parties are campaigning for the three-phase Assembly elections-under way for the first time in a decade-policemen and terrorists exchanged blows on Sunday. The clash took place when the Indian Army, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Poonch Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a coordinated search operation as there were intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorist activity.

Incident Details
The clash began late Saturday night when security forces conducted a cordon and search operation at Pathanateer near Gursai Top in the Mendhar sub-division. Officials say the operation was conducted to flush out a group of terrorists believed to be hiding there. The situation has aggravated as the search party came under fire from the terrorists and a gunfight is underway. At the moment, irregular firing goes on even as reinforcements are being deployed to augment that operation.

Involvement Of Terrorists And Recent Attacks
The three terrorists trapped in the village are led by a high-ranking commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, reports claim. This comes after numerous untoward incidents in Jammu and Kashmir killing three terrorists in the Baramulla district and two Army soldiers in the Kishtwar district. Terror activities mushrooming have lightened security and called up quite a response from security forces.

It conducted an operation against infiltration by the White Knight Corps in the Lam and Nowshera areas wherein it neutralized two terrorists and recovered weapons, including AK-47s and a pistol. Rising Star Corps also posted that in the earlier week, there were reports of two killed terrorists in Kathua district.

Operations And Security Issues
The security forces have surrounded the region and continued their operations despite reports of sporadic firing. The improved security is enacted due to the increased activities of terrorists coupled with attacks in the region. The violent incidents reflected a continuance of security concerns, as the state of Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its Assembly elections.

The Poonch situation is still fluid, with the security forces continuing to try to neutralise the threat posed by the trapped terrorists. The increasing intensification of terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir adds an emphasis on strengthened security measures as the region is approaching its sensitive elections.