2 Armymen hurt in Poonch firefight

Two Army men,including a Lieutenant and a Havaldar,were injured in an exchange of fire with a group of 4-5 militants who reportedly sneaked into Indian territory from across the Line of Control in Poonch Tuesday night.

The two injured have been identified as Lieutenant Nikhil Bismit and Havaldar Vinay Kumar,both of 12 Grenadiers. Sources said the Indian troops came across the militants around 7.45 pm soon after they had sneaked into India. On being challenged,they opened fire,forcing the troops to retaliate. However,taking advantage of the darkness,the militants managed to escape.

Security forces and police have launched searches at various places to track down the militants,the sources added.

Meanwhile,tension prevailed at Abdullian village with people reluctant to visit their fields near the border in view of Monday’s unprovoked firing by Pakistani Rangers.