Encounter underway in Rajouri forests

Jammu, May 23: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the forest area of Jammu’s Rajouri district on Saturday.
An official said that the gunfight erupted in the Dorimal forests after security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
“At least two to three Pakistani terrorists are believed to be trapped. The operation is underway,” officials said.
“The hiding terrorists opened fire as security forces tightened the cordon, triggering an exchange of fire. The intermittent firing was continuing when reports last came in,”
In a post on X, the Army’s White Knight Corps said, “Today at around 11:30 AM, contact was established with terrorists in the general area of Gambhir Muglan, Rajouri during an intelligence-based joint operation conducted along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF. Troops responded swiftly with calibrated action. Firefight ensued and a cordon has been effectively established. Operations remain underway.”
Security forces have intensified multi-agency search operations in the dense and mountainous terrain of Rajouri and neighbouring Poonch districts, which have witnessed a surge in counter-terror activities in recent years.
Earlier this month, a massive search operation was launched across more than 15 locations in Rajouri and Poonch following a foiled infiltration bid along the Line of Control in the Mankote and Krishna Ghati sectors, where an infiltrator was killed.
In March this year, joint forces carried out multiple combing operations in Rajouri’s Khandli and Palma areas as well as parts of Poonch following reports of suspicious movement.
The twin districts have also seen several encounters in recent years, including operations in 2025 in the Bananthab and Piranhal areas, and a successful anti-terror operation in the Bajimaal forest that neutralised highly trained terrorists.
Security forces continue to maintain a high state of alert in the region as operations remain in progress. (KNO)