Militants hold out, encounter into Day 5

Skirmishes between security forces and hiding militants continued for fifth day on Monday in the forests of Poonch, 250 kilometres from Jammu.

Skirmishes between security forces and hiding militants continued for fifth day on Monday in the forests of Poonch, 250 kilometres from Jammu.

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The security forces could not get a breakthrough because of inclement weather. “Heavy fog and poor visibility are coming in the way of the security forces,” said Rajouri-Poonch Deputy Inspector General Kamal Saini.

The Bhati Dhar forests, where the encounter is on since Thursday, lies in the Mendhar tehsil, an area very close to the Line of Control (LoC).

Though the exact number of militants is not known, intercepts suggested they could be six to 10.

The militants are believed to be hiding in the natural caves in the forests.

Army sources confirmed that the militants are heavily loaded with arms and ammunition that allow them to retaliate with power.

They are reportedly using INSAS rifles, rocket launchers and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), besides other small arms.