Massive search operation continues in Kupwara woods near LoC

Srinagar:A massive search operation continued for the second day on Sunday in the woods near the Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier district of Kupwara, where troops launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) early on Saturday.
Official sources said a security force patrol party was fired upon by militants, hiding in the woods at Balthedyan near LoC in Tangdhar in north Kashmir district of Kupwara yesterday morning. Troops also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said.
Additional security forces were rushed from nearby camps and entire forest area has been further sealed to foil any attempt by militants to escape.
The operation was halted last night due to darkness to avoid any causality. However, this morning the operation was launched with the first light. No fresh contact was established with the militants, they said.
A soldier and two militants were so far killed in Kupwara district during the past two weeks in separate encounters.