No impact on Machail Mata yatra
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 11: An encounter took place between security forces and terrorists in a remote forest area of Kishtwar early this morning.
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The officials, however, assured the pilgrims visiting the Machail Mata shrine in the district of adequate security and said there was no need to panic.
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The gunfight took place for a brief period when police assisted by the Army and paramilitary forces launched a search operation in Nownatta, Naagseni Peyaas and adjoining areas following information about movement of terrorists, the officials said.
Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and an operation is underway to hunt down the terrorists who have fled deep into the forest.
The officials said the latest encounter in Kishtwar had no impact on the annual Machail Mata yatra in the Paddar area.
“In the morning a search operation was launched at Peyaas in Naagseni. As a precautionary measure, traffic and movement of pilgrims were stopped. After a brief pause, both the pilgrimage and traffic movement resumed smoothly. There is no need for panic,” an official said.
He said the district administration has urged all pilgrims to continue their journey with confidence as all necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure their safety.
The Machail Mata Yatra started on July 25 and is scheduled to conclude on September 5.
Meanwhile, an encounter again broke out between terrorists and security forces in the higher reaches of Basantgarh in Udhampur district late this evening.
The operation started after joint team of security forces laid a cordon and search operation in the area.
Contact was established with the hiding terrorists.
“Operation is going on,” the official said.
Few days back, an encounter took place in Khaned area of Basantgarh but the terrorists managed to escape.
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