Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 19: Security forces have intensified search operation in the woods of frontier district of Kupwara, where a senior Army officer was killed and five other security personnel were injured in a militant attack on November 17.
Official sources here today said Commandos are being air dropped in Sabhaya Benak forest of Haihama and its adjoining woods in Kupwara to zero in on the militants, who had infiltrated from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) in the last week of October.
Apart from sealing all sides of the entire forest area to foil any attempt by militants to escape, the cordon has been extended to around eleven adjoining villages including Kashta, Khangund, Kalaroos, Shundi, Trumnard, Hyhama, Kakadi, Batpora, Sulkoot and Boinard, they said.
Meanwhile, more troops from Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police have joined the operation in the woods while helicopters are also being used for surveillance of the areas.
Despite all odds, particularly bad weather, operation continued against the militants, they said.
The first contact with the militants was established on November 13 when an encounter took place in which two security personnel were injured and a militant was reportedly killed.
There was also brief encounter between militants and security forces on November 16 but the militants managed to escape in the woods.
However, there was fresh encounter on November 17 in which Commanding Officer (CO) of 41 RR Santosh Mahadik was killed and five personnel, including a SOG personnel were injured. The injured have been hospitalized.
Col Mahadik was second senior officer killed in the Jammu and Kashmir during the past one week.
A Major was killed after he came under a snow avalanche at Siachan Glacier last week. |
