Et Report
Srinagar, Nov 8: An operation by army to track down at least 40 militants has been going on in many forests of this Lolab area in North Kashmir's Kupwara district for more than one month, official sources said Friday.
They said that troops of 18 RR, 28 RR, 31 RR and 9 PARA intensified their combing operations in most of the forest areas of Lolab sector which include Donwari, Dorosawani, Dardpora, Gagle, Varnow, Gundmancher and Surigam. "Since last 15 days army is continuously conducting late evening searches in the upper belt of our village and its adjoining areas", Ghulam Qadir Bhat, a resident of Gundmancher said .
A senior army official while confirming the combing operation in Lolab forests told a local news agency that searches in the Lolab area was launched on Oct 4 last month and the operation is still continuing following the inputs about the presence and roaming of some unidentified militants at many frontier villages of this Lolab area.
The official said that last week the contact was established at Donawari forest area and the group of militants while taking the advantage of darkness and dense forests managed to escape from the spot.
"There are about 35 to 40 militants of JeM and HM outfit present only in this particular Lolab sector, the official said adding that the group is headed by its operational Commander Adil.
Earlier, after the death of Qari Yasir, Chief Commander of JeM outfit on July 23 this year, the command was initially given to the Qari Obama, the official said, adding that Obama was either transferred to the Urban areas or has ex-filtrated to Pakistan in the month of September last. "The charge was later accordingly given to the next Operational Commander, Adil, a resident of Pakistan. |
