Jammu, Apr 1 (UNI) Security forces have laid a cordon and intensified the search operation after gunshots were fired by terrorists late on Monday night in Jathana village of Ramkote in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Police sources on Tuesday said that a cordon was laid in the night after inputs about the presence of three terrorists in the Panjtirthi area of Jathana village.

"Few gunshots were fired on the search party," they said, adding that the operation is in progress.

"The firing has stopped, but we have laid a cordon to ensure that the terrorists do not escape," they added.

"Massive searches are being conducted in the villages of Rajbagh and Billawar areas," they said, adding that the locals have been asked to remain alert and inform the police on seeing any suspicious movement.

Meanwhile, Rising Star Cops Indian Army on Tuesday morning in a post on X said, "Acting on intelligence inputs, multiple surveillance cum ambushes were deployed in the general area of Panjtirthi, #Kathua by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & CRPF."

"Suspicious movement was observed on the night of March 31, leading to an exchange of fire. Search and Destroy Operations launched at first light on Tuesday. Operations in progress," it posted.

Police sources said that on Sunday night, three men barged into the house in Rui village and took away the cooked food with them.

Two terrorists and four policemen were killed in a fierce gunfight on March 27 in Jathana, Rajbagh.

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat had said that J&K Police is a strong force and its intentions and missions are clear.

"We will not sleep till we stop such activities of our neighbour,” said DGP Prabhat, who was leading the operation from the front.

UNI VBH GNK