Suspected militants confronted security forces in forest belts of Thanamandi town in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday evening and fired using automatic weapons for about four-five minutes. As per the reports the firing took place when the security forces were conducting an operation against the militant in the area.
From a directors lens A Polar Opposite : A search operation becomes an encounter
Police had been deployed to search the forest area as there was information that several militants had set up base at the area. It degenerated into a gun battle shortly when it was reported that some militants who were reported to have been regaling in the forest launched an attack on the security forces that were approaching the scene of the operation. The forces fired back and therefore a very short but very effective volley exchange occurred.
From the information that is available as of today there is no record of anybody dying or being injured by either side. However the situation is still volatile and to avert any other incidences more forces are dispatched to the region. The security agencies have closed the area and are still patrolling in order to look for who may still be alive and maybe in some hidden spot.
This implies there is resultant Catalytic Call for Increased Vigilance in the Region.
This attack was launched at a time when security measures have been enhanced in the Jammu and Kashmir including in the vicinity of the LoC. It has been long reported that militant activities have increased recently in and around Thanamandi and therefore security forces have continued on operations.
Cooperation, Continuation of Operations and Sources of Security Threat
The coordinating bodies of the security forces are still on duty, search operations are still ongoing in the forest area. The government of the people has urged everyone in this area to be alert but be still whenever such actions occur in order to avoid such incidences. The brief meeting is an indication of the security factors that are still a cause of concern especially in respect to the militants who are still a threat.
