Anantnag, Aug 12 (KNO): Security forces continued their intensive search operations for the third consecutive day on Monday in the Ahlan Gadole forest area of Kokernag in south Kashmir's Anantnag district to locate and neutralise terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forest.
The firefight started on Saturday afternoon during a cordon and search operation initiated by the security forces based on intelligence reports indicating the presence of terrorists in the remote Ahlan Gagarmandu forest. Two soldiers and a civilian were killed during the gunfight.
Official sources informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the operation to hunt down the terrorists continued for the third day despite challenging terrain and difficult conditions. "Additional forces have been deployed in the area to intensify the search operations in Ahlan Gadole forest at an altitude of 10,000 feet.," they said, adding that a well-armed group of terrorists — believed to be three to four in number — had come in from Doda.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police Kashmir (IGP) Zone, V K Birdi, said the security forces had information regarding the movement of terrorists in the upper reaches. He said three soldiers were injured in the initial exchange of fire on Saturday, while two civilians also sustained injuries.
"Two security personnel died, while the third is undergoing treatment and his condition is said to be stable. Out of the two civilians who were injured, one has succumbed," Birdi told reporters near the encounter site in Kokernag on Sunday.
When asked if the two civilians were involved in terrorist activities, the IGP said the presence of the two men close to the site of the encounter with terrorists is a matter of investigation and "is being investigated".
When asked if the group of terrorists involved in the ongoing encounter had come from Doda, the IGP said, "While the scene of the gunbattle is close to the border of the district, it is premature to say anything with certainty."
According to the defence spokesperson in Srinagar, it had been earlier confirmed through human and electronic means on August 5, 2024, that terrorists responsible for atrocities and incidents in the Doda region in July had sneaked across the Kishtwar range into the Kapran Garol area in South Kashmir.
“Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police have since relentlessly tracked these terrorists, and precise operations were launched on the night of August 9 & 10, 2024, in the area east of Kapran, in the mountains where these terrorists were reportedly holed up,” he said.
The spokesperson said that suspicious movement was observed on August 10. “On challenging the terrorists, they responded with indiscriminate, desperate, and reckless firing, during which two army personnel and two civilians in the vicinity were injured,” he said, adding, "The terror antecedents of the injured civilians are being ascertained. The area is above 10,000 feet in altitude, with thick undergrowth, large boulders, nallahs, and re-entrants that pose a serious challenge to operations. Security forces are moving deliberately and are in the process of hunting down the terrorists. Operations will progress through the night.”
The Army identified the deceased soldiers as Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma. "Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of the two bravehearts. The Indian Army offers its deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," the Indian Army said in an official statement.
“Deeply saddened at the loss of our brave and fearless Indian Army soldiers in a counter-terrorist operation in Kokernag, Anantnag (J&K). My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief,” Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in a post on the social media platform X—(KNO)