Security forces have launched extensive Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in various villages of Mendhar sub-division, with senior officers of both the army and police present at the spot.

The forces have launched this massive CASO after a deadly attack by militants on an army vehicle in Bhata Dhurian, Poonch in which five army personnel lost their lives, with critical injuries to another personnel.

The army in an official statement termed it as a militant attack. It said the vehicle caught fire and five army personnel lost their lives while one personnel is injured.

An official said that both army and police have launched a search operation in the area. “Heavy deployment of forces has been made and many villages including Bhata Dhurian, Nar forest, Sanjiote, and Kotan have been cordoned and intense searches are going on,” he said.

Senior army and police officers are also camping at site monitoring the operation that has been launched to track the attackers, the official added.