J&K: JCO, 4 Army Jawans killed in Poonch encounter

Jammu: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and four soldiers were killed on Monday in an encounter between security forces and heavily armed terrorists in Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The operation is on and there are reports that one JCO and four jawans of Army have been killed in the exchange of fire," official sources said.

The gunfight started in the morning following intelligence inputs as the Indian Army launched a cordon and search operation in villages close to Dera Ki Gali area.

"Exchange of fire is still underway," the defence spokesperson said.

Police sources said four to five terrorists were trapped. "The terrorists fired at the joint patrol party, which was effectively retaliated leading to the encounter," he said. (UNI)