Militants open fire at police in Poonch, massive search operation launched

None of the personnel were injured, and they immediately returned fire, causing the militants to flee, sources said.

Subsequently, search operations at a much bigger scale, involving the police and other security agencies, were launched in the area to locate the militants.

Since June 9, when militants targeted a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district, which led to the death of nine people, this has been the fifth militant attack on police and security forces in the Jammu region.

Police have so far detained more than 50 people in connection to the Reasi attack.

They also detained two people in Doda district’s Jhai area for not informing authorities about militants taking food from them at gunpoint. These militants, according to police, later attacked a joint police-Army checkpoint at Chattergala, injuring five Army soldiers and a police officer. The next day, they also attacked a police search party at Kota Top in Gandoh area, injuring an officer.

Police had also killed two militants in Kathua district’s Saida village last week after they opened fire on a house, injuring a civilian.