JAMMU, May 27 -- The security forces on Tuesday intensified their search operations backed by heavy fire on suspected hideouts in the jungles of Dori Mal in Rajouri district's Gambhir Mughlan area, officials said.

"On Tuesday, the army also air-dropped its elite special forces para commandoes close to a suspected hideout, which has been targeted by heavy fire including RPG rounds," a senior police officer said.

Though commandos of the special forces have been involved in the operations since Saturday, when a brief exchange of fire occurred in the area, more special forces were air-dropped close to the suspected hideout, the officer added, requesting anonymity.

Locals said they saw thick plumes of smoke rising from the forested areas fo...