Local authorities reported a encounter in the secluded village of Panara, situated in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, during the early hours of Sunday. The clash resulted in a Village Defence Guard (VDG) member being wounded in a skirmish with suspected terrorists.

At approximately 7:45 am, a tense standoff ensued when a joint patrol team of police and VDGs confronted the militants. Swift reinforcements from the Police and Army were swiftly dispatched to the scene, initiating an extensive search operation aimed at flushing out the hiding militants.

Despite the militants managing to evade immediate capture and fleeing into the dense forest, security forces persisted in their pursuit. The exact number of militants involved remained undisclosed, adding to the intensity of the ongoing chase.

Preceding the confrontation, intelligence alerts had indicated suspicious movement in the vicinity the previous evening. Responding promptly, the J&K Police activated security measures in the Basantgarh police station area. The morning skirmish occurred when the patrolling team, accompanied by VDG members, encountered the militants at Chochru Gala heights.

During the initial exchange of gunfire, one VDG member sustained injuries and was promptly evacuated for medical treatment. Subsequently, additional reinforcements, including units from the Special Operations Group of police, along with Army and CRPF units, were deployed to bolster the security cordon and prevent any further threat from the militants.

These unfolding events underscored the ongoing efforts of the security apparatus to safeguard the region and neutralize potential threats to peace and stability.