Gunshots heard during CASO in Poonch village

Rajouri, May 31: Several gunshots were heard during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) by security forces in forest area near Dehra Ki Gali (DKG) in Poonch's Surankote sub division last night. The operation is going on in the area to nab suspected terrorists present in the area.

Officials said that in Marha village of Surankote sub division of J&K's Poonch district, a CASO was launched by security forces last night.

The operation was started after some reports of suspicious movement and presence of terrorists.During operation, officials said, several gunshots were heard at around 4 AM on Friday with forces suspect that some suspected movement took place at this point of time.

In the early morning hours, heavy reinforcement of security forces was rushed to the area and cordoned was strengthened.

"Extensive searches were launched in this area that is still going on," the officials said. They added that senior officer of army and police also visited the operation site to review the operational status. The site of operation is located alongside DKG forests where a deadly terror attack took place on December 22 last year in which four army personnel lost their lives and others got injured after terrorists ambushed an army vehicle at Danar Morh on DKG - Bufliyaz road.

The area comprising of dense woods is being considered as a challenging location by forces owing to its tough topographic conditions, dense vegetations and shadow zones especially in terms of lack of road connectivity and mobile telecommunication.