J&K: 5 soldiers killed in encounter in Poonch

A junior commissioned officer (JCO) and four jawans died of injuries sustained in an encounter with terrorists in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

The operation was launched in a village close to Dera Ki Gali in Surankote in the early hours following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there, a defense spokesperson said. The terrorists opened fire on a team of Army personnel, injuring the JCO and six soldiers, who were rushed to hospital. The two injured soldiers were reported to be in a serious condition.

The operation was launched after reports emerged that terrorists had sneaked across the Line of Control from Pakistan and into the Chamrer forest area. Reinforcements were rushed to the area to plug escape routes.

According to reports, around five terrorists are trapped at the encounter site.