Jammu: The Indian Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed on Tuesday that its troops came under fire while carrying out an intelligence-based operation in the Kishtwar area.

In a tweet, the corps said, “Alert troops of White Knight Corps at around 1 pm today, while carrying out an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Kishtwar, have established contact with terrorists. Fire exchanged with terrorists. Operation is in progress.”

The officials said a brief encounter ensued when army troops launched a search operation following inputs about the presence of terrorists in the forest area.

Meanwhile, joint searches by the special operations group (SOG) of local police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles were underway in different areas under the jurisdiction of Surankote, Mendhar, Gursai, Poonch and Mandi police stations, official said.

Security forces launched the cordon and search operation at Girjan Gali Tanh, Godriananad, Karru, Upper Banikhet, Nadiyan Dhok, Murrah and Nadily Sum in Surankote, Burie Mohalla, Jogi Mohalla, Jattan Mohalla Chajjla and Banola forest Balakote in Mendhar and Shahpur and Guntrian in Poonch.

The searches are also being carried out at Loharika, Sangiote and Gursai Morha in Gursai and Lower Sawjian and its adjoining area in Mandi, the officials said.

No further details on casualties or the number of terrorists involved have been released. The operation is ongoing, with the army maintaining a high alert in the region.