NEW DELHI: Terrorists on Wednesday opened fire at an army vehicle in the Sunderbani area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, officials told news agency PTI.
There were no immediate reports of any casualties in the brief firing near Phal village in the Sunderbani sector, they said.
The terrorists, believed to be hiding in a forest, fired a few rounds at the army vehicle passing through the area, which is considered a traditional infiltration route for militants.
The troops returned fire while reinforcements were rushed to neutralise the terrorists, the officials said.
The army has launched a cordon and search operation in the area.
This comes hours after the Border Security Force (BSF) said it neutralised an intruder after observing “a suspicious movement across the IB (International Border)”.
The army said the intruder was shot as he kept moving even after the alert troops challenged him.
“At pre-dawn today, BSF troops observed a suspicious movement across the IB (International Border) in BOP Tashpatan, Pathankot border area & an intruder was observed crossing the IB; he was challenged by the alert troops but paid no heed & kept on moving; BSF troops sensing threat neutralised the intruder,” the BSF told news agency ANI.
The border force said that the “identity and motive of the intruder are being ascertained”. “Vigilant BSF troops thwarted an infiltration attempt. Strong protest will be lodged with Pak Rangers,” it said.
On February 8, terrorists fired at a patrol from a forested area across LoC in Keri sector of Rajouri, prompting a retaliatory response from Indian soldiers. In the intervening night of February 4 and 5, a landmine explosion in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district caused casualties among terrorists attempting to cross LoC.
J&K saw a spate of terrorist attacks between May and December last year, prompting heightened counteroffensives by security forces.