Locals allege that miscreants with some vested interests are purposely setting fires on the forest land.

Officials reported that late Thursday night, security forces received specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area. A search operation was subsequently launched by the police and army in the general area of Marha Buffliaz, near Dera Ki Gali.

According to latest updates, exchange of fire between the terrorists and security forces were reported in the region on Friday, officials have said.

The ex-Punjab chief minister on Sunday called the Poonch terror attack in which an IAF soldier was killed a "stunt" meant to make the BJP win the Lok Sabha polls.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced a rupee one crore ex gratia for the kin of IAF soldier Cpl Vikki Pahade, killed by militants, and ASI Mahendra Bagri, killed by the sand mafia. The proposal is awaiting Election Commission approval due to the Model Code of Conduct.

In the aftermath of Charanjit Singh Channi's controversial remarks alleging the pre-planning of the Poonch terror attack, Union Minister Anurag Thakur has come out swinging, demanding an unequivocal apology from the top echelons of the Congress party.

Amidst the rugged terrain of Poonch, tragedy struck as an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy faced a cowardly terrorist ambush. In the aftermath, the nation mourns the loss of Corporal Vikky Pahade, a brave defender who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Reinforcements from the army have stormed in the area and the Rashtriya Rifles are conducting a massive search and cordon operation in the region to track down and neutralise the terrorists.

22 year old Shabnam Bi, along with her 1.5 year old toddler Laiba Fatima had unknowingly crossed the Line of Control in Poonch district.

"Seven IEDs and a wireless set were recovered during a search operation by joint security forces at Dara Sangla, in the Surankote area of Poonch district in the Jammu region," officials said.

The incident occurred during the early hours of Saturday, prompting swift action from stationed troops.

Fresh searches were launched along the border with Pakistan in Samba and Poonch even as cordon and search operations continued for the seventh straight day on Wednesday to track the terrorists involved in last week’s ambush that killed four soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir.