Massive operation underway to smoke out terrorists in Handwara

In a massive encounter that has entered its second day today, Indian Army personnel are engaged in a search operation to flush out hiding terrorists from the Rajwar forests in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir.

The fierce gun battle that has been raging on since Sunday entered its second day today and so far three Army personnel have been injured, including a Lieutenant-Colonel and two jawans.

The militants are believed to be cornered and attempts are being made to capture or neutralise them.

Heavy firing is underway and additional troops have been rushed to cordon off the forest area.

Earlier, the Army had launched a search operation in Kupwara where Colonel Santosh Mahadik, the Commanding Officer (CO) of 41 Rashtriya Rifles was killed in a fierce gun battle with terrorists.