J&K: Anti-terror operations underway in Pulwama and Bandipora

SRINAGAR: Two anti-terror operations are currently underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama and Bandipora districts on Thursday morning. At least two terrorists were gunned down in the incidents. Security forces are combing the surrounding regions to neutralise any other terorrists holed up in the area. 

The first incident took place in Bandipora's Panar forest as the Army launched a massive hunt for terrorists hiding in the dense forest area. One army jawan, who sustained a bullet injury during the cross-firing, has also succumbed to death, said reports.

The joint operation by the CRPF and the Rashtriya Rifles is still on and a massive combing and search operation has been launched to nab the remaining terrorists.      

In the second incident, terrorists opened fire at a joint check point of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the police near Gangoo village in South Kashmir's Pulwama on Thursday morning. This too is an ongoing operation. 

The Home Ministry will review Centre's decision to suspend anti-terror operations in J&K during the holy month of Ramzan later on Thursday. The high-level meeting will be chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by MoS PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS Home Hansraj Ahir, Director General of Paramilitary Forces, NSA Ajit Doval, IB Chief and other top officials.

"This (announcement of the ceasefire) will be reviewed by Home Ministry and other concerned departments. Further course of action will be decided after the month of Ramzan," BJP general secretary Ram Madhav told ANI.

On Wednesday morning, four Border Security Force (BSF) personnel lost their lives while three were injured after Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire once again in Chambliyal sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district. 

The ceasefire took place along the International Borders in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Last month, both India and Pakistan had mutually decided to respect ceasefire pact of 2003 and take  sincere measures to improve the existing situation to ensure peace and avoidance of hardships to the civilians along the borders. A ceasefire was also initiated on May 16 with the Centre directed security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to follow what it called "non-initiation of combat operations" during the holy month of Ramzan.

Meanwhile, the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers held a flag meeting to maintain peace and tranquility on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, an official statement said on Thursday.

The meeting was held on Wednesday evening at the Octroi border outpost.