Jammu, Jan 20: The security forces continued a massive search operation for the third day in the forest areas of Kishtwar district to track down three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists while many individuals were detained for questioning.
The search operation was launched by troops in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt on Sunday, leading to a gunfight that left one paratrooper dead and seven others injured.
The terrorists escaped deep into the forest area, but their well-fortified hideout, packed with a large quantity of winter stock, including eatables, blankets and utensils, was busted by troops yesterday.
Senior officers, including Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti and Inspector General of CRPF, Jammu, R Gopala Krishna Rao, also reached the encounter scene and are currently camping there along with several army officers to supervise the operation.
Meanwhile, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held here to pay tributes to the slain Special Force Commando, Havildar Gajendra Singh, in Jammu on Tuesday morning.
The wreath-laying ceremony at Satwari was led by Brig Yudhvir Singh Sekhon, Officiating Chief of Staff, White Knight Corps, and later, the mortal remains of the deceased were dispatched to his hometown in Uttarakhand for the last rites, the officials said.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Kathua-Samba range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Rakesh Minhas and several police, CRPF and BSF officers also attended the wreath laying ceremony.
Meanwhile, sources said police have picked up several individuals for questioning in connection with the busting of the hideout, located at an altitude of over 12,000 feet.
Security forces are trying to identify the overground workers (OGWs) who assisted the terrorists in procuring and transporting large quantities of rations, pulses, utensils, and other supplies, which were enough to provide sustenance for at least four persons during the winter months.
A security official said multiple teams of the army, police, and paramilitary forces, supported by drones and sniffer dogs, are combing the area despite challenging terrain marked by thick vegetation and steep slopes, limiting visibility and movement.
A group of two to three terrorists allegedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) are believed to be trapped in the area.