Resuming at 26 for no loss, Himachal Pradesh were bowled out for 189 runs in their first innings in reply to J&K's 175 with medium pacer Ram Dayal picking up six wickets for 50 runs.
Wicket-keeper Aatish Bhalik top-scored for Himachal Pradesh with a 135-ball 40.
J&K were no better in their second essay as, at stumps, the hosts lost three wickets with the scoreboard reading just 16.
For Himachal Pradesh, pacer Rishu Dhawan picked up two wickets for six runs, while Vikramjeet Malik accounted for the other J&K batsman.
An outright result is very much on the cards as J&K are just two runs ahead of Himachal Pradesh with two full days play still remaining in the match.
Brief Scores:
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Himachal Pradesh: 189 all out in 80.2 overs (Aatish Bhalik 40, Karanveer Singh 34; Ram Dayal 6/50).
Jammu and Kashmir: 175 & 16 for three in nine overs.