Security forces, militants exchange fire in Udhampur

Jammu, Oct 5 (UNI) The security forces and a group of militants today entered into a fierce gunbattle in tehsil Ramnagar of Udhampur district, official sources here said.

''Based on specific information about the presence of holed up militants in the house of one Buba Gujjar in village Sher Mangla of Ramnagar area, a joint search operation was launched by the troops of 150 Territorial Army, police and Special Operation Group,'' official sources said.

However, the unidentified militants on seeing the patrol party, opened fire, which was retaliated triggering a fierce gun battle.

''The day-long gun battle continued till late evening and the operation has been suspended for the time being due to dark but it has not been called off, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Udhampur-Ramban Range Alok Puri told UNI.

Mr Puri said the searches would be intensified tomorrow morning and added, ''two militants are expected to have taken shelter inside the house.'' UNI VBH AKJ BST2028