A fierce gunfight erupted late Tuesday night in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district when Indian Army troops intercepted a group of terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Degwar sector’s Maldivalan area. The alert soldiers spotted suspicious movement near the border fence, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire, according to officials. Two terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, were shot down during the encounter, though it remains unclear if they were killed or injured, as per initial reports.

The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the operation on X, stating, “Suspected movement of two individuals was observed by own troops along the fence in gen area of #Poonch Sector. Gunfire exchanged. Operation under progress.” Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, later verified that the two infiltrating terrorists were neutralized. The operation follows the recent elimination of militants responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, highlighting intensified counter-terrorism efforts in the region.

Security forces have cordoned off the area, with reinforcements deployed to ensure no further infiltration. The encounter comes amid heightened vigilance along the LoC, following a brigade commander-level flag meeting between India and Pakistan on April 10 to discuss border management. The ongoing operation underscores India’s resolve to thwart Pakistan-backed terrorism, with further details awaited as the situation develops.