Encounter ends in J-K's Sophian, search operations underway

An encounter between security forces and terrorists in Memander area of Shopain district in Jammu and Kashmir has ended and search operation is underway, officials said.The encounter broke out between the security forces and terrorists in the wee hours of Wednesday.No causalities have been reported so far. Further details are awaited.The encounter comes a day after India carried out air strikes at a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

According to Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, Indian Air Force has eliminated a "large number" of terrorists, including top commanders, during multiple air strikes in the terror launch pads.The terror camp in a thick forest area atop a hill was led by Ustad Gauri, brother-in-law of JeM chief Masood Azhar, Gokhale said, making a statement before the media, hours after the air strikes using Mirage 2000 were carried out. In retaliation, Pakistan reportedly violated ceasefire in a number of places along the LoC. Heavy shelling was also reported in the region.