Kathua: A terrorist was gunned down by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua District during a massive search operation in the forest area on Tuesday evening. The incident took place during an encounter after ultras opened fire at a village in Kathua, confirmed the J&K police. Sources claimed that the terrorists struck Saida Sukhal village near Koota Mode in the Hiranagar sector on Tuesday following which a hunt was launched.

A senior police official said that the suspicious activity was noticed in Seda Sohal village in the Hiranagar sector at around 7:45 pm. A couple of gunshots were heard, believed to be fired by the suspects who fled into the nearby forest after some people raised an alarm.

Following reports of suspicious movement involving three individuals, the security forces launched a search operation in the forest area.

One terrorist was killed in the exchange of firing and a search operation is on to track down the other terrorists believed to be holed up in the village, the officials said.

A police official said that the terrorists had entered a house of a local in the Kathua district asking for water. When the family refused to provide them water, the terrorists opened fire at them.

Upon receiving this information, police and other security forces responded and initiated a large-scale search operation to track down the fleeing suspects.

Further details regarding the operation is awaited.