| On day 9 of searches in Kupwara woods, Lt Col hurt in encounter with militants | | | S.Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
KUPWARA, Nov 22 : A Lt Col of Territorial Army was injured in an encounter that started again in the dense forests of Manigah in Kupwara district Sunday afternoon.
A top police official said, "Joint teams of Army's 41 RR, commandos of 4 Para and Special Operation Group (SOG) have launched a massive search operation in various forests of Manigah sector, following the killing of Army officer on Nov 17. In the afternoon, security forces intercepted militants in Hajinaka forests, triggering a fierce encounter, the official said. He said, in the initial gun battle, Lt Col K S Nath of 160 Territorial Army (TA) sustained bullet injuries. However, he was shifted to the Army hospital Drugmulla for treatment.
The group of militants has managed to escape four times since November13 in different locations of Manigah sector, after security forces intercepted militants, said official.
He said, according to their intelligence reports the group had infiltrated on the night of Oct 30 and was trapped in the forests due to heavy rains and snowfall. However sources said that, Army resorted to mortar shelling in Doornad forests and forces have cordoned off the wide area ranging from Manigah to Shamshawali, Safawali to Kalaroos and Jabbad forests, adding the search operation entered 9th day today.
SSP Kupwara Aijaz Ahmad, confirmed that a Lt Col of 160 territorial army sustained bullet injuries. A massive search operation was going on in the area, he informed.
Reports from Handwara said army launched a massive search operation in Rajwar forests of Handwara area of Kupwara district after brief gunfire with militants. A joint team of army's 21 RR and 9 PARA had cordoned off the Bhawan village in Rajwar forests of Handwara area this morning.
Sources said that as the security forces moved forward, the militants hiding in the area opened fire which was retaliated, triggering heavy exchange of fire which continued for about half an hour, adding the militants escaped from the site after taking advantage of the darkness.
It is pertinent to mention here that on November 17 Colonel Santosh Mahadik, commanding officer (CO) of 41 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), sacrificed his life while fighting with militants in the forests of Behak near Sonawali in Manigah area of the district. |
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