Differences between the Army and Police over the strategy to be adopted aggravated the situation which was already tense due to the intense gun-battle between militants and security forces, sources said.

However, the situation eased after senior officials from the state Home Department rang up top Army commanders of Jammu-based 16 Corps asking them to stay away from the house until those trapped were rescued, the sources added.

The Commanding Officer of 29 Division Vinay Sharma was asked by the Army Corps to put all operations on hold until the local police managed to sneak into a side portion of the house and ensure safe passage of two women and two children despite heavy fire from militants.

One woman had already died in the cross-fire of security forces.