ibn sultan
SRINAGAR: The anti-militant operation in the Akhal area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district entered its seventh day on Thursday, with security forces intensifying their efforts to neutralize militants believed to be hiding in the dense forest terrain.
Official sources said that intermittent firing between the militants and security forces was reported throughout the night, resulting in injuries to three more army personnel.
The injured soldiers were shifted to a military hospital for treatment. The gunfire resumed late Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning as forces narrowed down their cordon in the forested region.
“With brief lull from Wednesday morning firing resumed from the both sides with the hiding militants late last night. During the exchange of fire, three jawans sustained injuries,” an official source said, adding that the search operation is ongoing with reinforcements deployed in the area.
The joint operation is being carried out by the Indian Army’s, JK Police, and CRPF. Drones and sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service to trace the militants, who are believed to be cornered in a rugged forest patch.
The encounter had initially started on Thursday last week after specific inputs about militant presence in the area. However, the terrain and thick vegetation have posed major challenges to the forces.
“Security forces are exercising extreme caution to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safety of civilians residing in nearby areas,” sources added.
This is one of the longest ongoing anti-terror operations in the Valley this year, underscoring the presence of militants in the south Kashmir belt with intensified counter-insurgency efforts. (KNC)
