Three terrorists killed in gun battle in Ramban's Batote, operation currently going on

"Three terrorists have been eliminated in a fierce encounter, while the operation is still in progress as two more terrorists are holed up in a house," official sources here told UNI.

A group of armed terrorists have made an elderly man hostage, while some locals have been rescued earlier by the Army, amid an ensuing gun battle in Batote area.

A Defence Spokesman here said that this morning at about 0730 hrs, two suspicious individuals tried to stop a civil vehicle in Batote general area, on NH 244.

"The driver of the vehicle was alert. He did not stop the vehicle, rushed and informed the nearest Army post," he said, adding that quick reaction team reacted promptly and contact was established with the suspicious individuals.

"An exchange of fire took place and an encounter was triggered," he added.

Meanwhile, sources said that the group of armed terrorists, who were five in number, have made hostage to an elder person in a house near Hospital in Darmund area of Batote.

"Forces cordoned the house and traffic movement was stopped from Jammu side as well as from Ramban side," they said, adding that locals have been told to remain inside their houses as security forces wanted safety of the hostage kept by terrorists.

Security forces, including the special operation group and the Army has cordoned the house and keeping watch on the holed up terrorists.

However, intermittent exchange of firing was on, they added.