The combing and search operation launched by troops to track down a group of Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists from Gadole forest area of Kokernag in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district entered 5th day on Sunday.
The security men are using drones, quadcopters and helicopters for surveillance of the dense forest area to pinpoint the location of the Lashkar terrorists, who have been holed up in the forest area since Wednesday.
“There were several cave-like hideouts in the forest area and drones were being used to pinpoint their locations to carry out attacks on them,” sources said.
A local news gathering agency GNS quoted sources reported that a body, believed to be that of a terrorist, was recovered near a cave hideout at Gadole forest area today.
The identity of the deceased was not immediately ascertained and it appears that the body is that of one of the militants, the sources said.
On Wednesday, a joint contingent of police and army launched a search operation in the Gadole forest area after receiving inputs about the presence of militants. In the initial gunfight, three security officials including two decorated Army officers Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles and his company commander, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat, were killed and two other soldiers were injured in a gun battle in the area. Later, one of the injured soldier succumbed to injuries on Friday.
The combing operation to track down the group of Lashkar terrorists hiding in Gadole forest area is going on.
The security forces fired mortar shells, rockets, grenades and other ammunition towards the forest area today.
“The operation at Gadol Kokernag Anantnag is challenging for the forces due the dense forest cover,” a security officer said.
The Army has been using drones and high-powered shells to flush out the militants. However, so far there is no report of any militant casualty.
"The area is exceptionally confined, with dense woods on one side and a steep trench on the other," said officers involved in the operation.
Security forces have established a rigorous multi-layer cordon in Gadole Kokernag .
On Saturday, a drone's footage showed a suspected hideout destroyed in force action. Another piece of footage showed a militant running for cover after a hideout was hit by shells.
Officials said the operation was taking time as the terrain was tough and challenging and the forces were extra careful.
The Northern Army commander Lt Gen Dwivedi yesterday visited the site of the gunfight to take stock of the operational situation.
Lt Gen Dwivedi was briefed by the ground commanders on the high-intensity operations, in which hi-tech equipment is being used for surveillance and delivery of firepower, along with the high impact of precision fire being used by the forces.
The Northern Army commander inspected the drone which has been used to survey the area and track the terrorists, the officials said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi reviewed the operation with senior police and Army officers. He also interacted with troops deployed in the operation.