A search operation has been launched in a Gurdaspur village in Punjab after two civilians reported sighting of two suspicious men in Army fatigues near the Tibri cantonment area, said reports.

The two local residents were reportedly going towards their house when they spotted the two heavily-armed men moving in a suspicious manner in a sugarcane field near Pandher village.

The police immediately informed the Army, following which a joint search operation was launched, PTI quoted SSP Gurpreet Singh as saying. The area has been cordoned off.

The development comes in the backdrop of the Pathankot air base attack, which resulted in the death of seven security personnel. All six terrorists were neutralised during the four-day encounter.

Some reports suggest Army formations have been alerted after five terrorists sneaked into the border area of Pathankot and Gurdaspur.

In July, Pakistani terrorists had stormed a police station in Gurdaspur.