A militant was killed on Monday, as the gun battle between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch continued for the second day, NDTV reported. Three militants and a police officer died earlier in the exchange of fire, which began after law enforcement personnel raided a government building in the town. Five others, including two soldiers and a civilian, have been injured.

The militants are still holed up inside the building, according to a report, which added that security forces are using drones to pinpoint their exact location inside the structure. Deputy Inspector General of Rajouri-Poonch range Johny William told the Hindustan Times that the security forces were considering storming the building. “We are trying to move into the building with SOG commandos in bunkers to eliminate the remaining ultras,” he said.

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An elderly couple held hostage inside a private residential building by another group of militants was also rescued during operations on Sunday. Inspector General of Police Johny William said that the search of the government building is yet to be completed.

Several encounters took place in the state on Sunday, with militants being killed in the Nowgam Sector of north Kashmir. Infiltration attempts into Indian territory from the Tangdhar and Gurez sectors were also thwarted by security forces, officials said. The reports came even as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to crack down on those instigating violence in the state and restore peace within a week. State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has blamed Pakistan for the attacks and has accused Islamabad of “creating trouble in Kashmir”.

Thousands of soldiers have been deployed into the troubled state over the weekend to “strengthen anti-terror operations”. Authorities are mulling over sending soldiers into areas vacated by the army as they have witnessed protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani.