Seventh day of Poonch encounter: Police detained three people including mother and son, suspected of helping terrorists

Today is the seventh day of the ongoing operation against terrorists in the forests of Poonch and Rajori of Jammu division. Nine jawans including two JCOs have been martyred at two different places in the encounter with terrorists. During the ongoing search operation in the forest area on Sunday, three people including a woman and her son have been detained. Everyone is being questioned.

A 45-year-old woman and her son, a resident of Bhatadudia, along with a man have been taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of providing logistic support to terrorists, officials said. It is being probed whether the trio voluntarily or at gunpoint provided food and shelter to the terrorists.

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The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rajori-Poonch range said the presence of terrorists was noticed in the forest area connecting Poonch and Rajori. After which a campaign was started to track them. There were face-to-face encounters with terrorists thrice this week. The terrorists are hiding and the joint forces are engaged in carrying out the operation. The entire forest area from Mendhar to Thanamandi is under strict siege. In an attempt to escape, a massive search operation is going on to eliminate the terrorists moving from one place to another.

The command of the operation against the terrorists has now been taken over by the para commandos. Other troops are now in the outer circle. Intermittent firing is taking place inside the forest. Traffic has not been restored on Rajori-Poonch highway due to the encounter. The highway has been closed since the evening of October 14.

Strict vigil is being done to keep the siege of terrorists impenetrable in the Duroh forest. Helicopters are being monitored during the day. Light shells are being fired at night. .Military sources said that the location of the terrorists has been ascertained.