Poonch encounter continues on third day

Jammu, Sep 13 (PTI) For the third day today, securityforces continued to be engaged in an encounter with militantswho are holed up in the under-construction Mini Secretariat inPoonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. "One or two militants are expected to be the complex. Theoperation is on. The building has two floors and several roomsand terrorists are taking benefit of it by firing fromdifferent areas," a senior Army officer said. Four militants have already been killed in the encounterwhich began at around 7.30 AM on Sunday. A policeman also losthis life in the initial firing by the militants before theytook shelter in a house and the Mini Secretariat. Last night, two security men were injured when the forcesattempted to storm the complex. Talking to reporters here after visiting Poonchyesterday, DGP said, "There might be a group of 4 to 6involved in this incident.. We have recovered bodies of twomilitants. Two more militants have been killed. We feel oneor two militants are still alive." He said that militants had come with full preparation todisturb peace in the border district as there is calm andcommunal harmony in the area. "Militants infiltrating a day before Eid is clearlypointing towards the fact they had come here to disturb peaceon Eid," Kumar said. PTI ABAKK