Soldier injured in encounter, airlifted to 92 base hospital
Srinagar: Massive search operation in most parts of the North Kashmir forests continued for the third consecutive day Wednesday following recent infiltration bids by militants from across the Line of Control.
Fresh clashes erupted between militants and soldiers of 3 DOGRA in Churunda sector of Uri in Baramulla on Wednesday. The operation in the Machil Sector in Kupwara district was also on, reports said.
Army on Monday launched searches in Hafruda forests, Shamswari, Badnimal, Hagnikoot, Baliyan Behak, Waderballa, Rajwar and its adjoining areas in frontier district of Kupwara to track down a group of militants that apparently crossed over to this side recently, sources said.
They said that a fresh militant group might have entered through Tanghdar or Keran Sector, as in recent past there was a surge in infiltration attempts. Helicopters were used in these forest areas several times since yesterday to locate the militant group, a senior Army officer said on phone.
6 RR assisted with additional deployment in the area and Special Operation Group (SOG) of JK Police are carrying out the massive searches of the dense forests, they said.
During last week, soldiers near the LoC in Keran had noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side. When they were challenged in Keran on this side, the militants had opened fire which was retaliated triggering an encounter. However, after a brief gunfight an unidentified militant was killed and others managed to escape.
The sources said that at least four to six militants have succeeded in sneaking into this side. Both sides exchanged the fire twice since.
On Wednesday afternoon, Armys 6 RR along with reinforcement intensified their combing operation in Hafruda forests. A fresh gun battle erupted in the area between hiding militants and troops resulting in injuries to a trooper of 6 RR who was immediately flown to 92 base hospital in Srinagar, a senior army official said.
In Machil sector, the operation continued on second day. Sources said that a group of 5-6 militants managed to sneak in to this side about 2.5 Kilometers at Boriwallan Nad near Jalender post. The group later intercepted by the army got involved in a day long gunfight in which four intruders were killed till late Tuesday evening, sources said, adding the search operation to nab the remaining militants was on in the area.
The sources also said that a fresh encounter broke out between militants and troops of 3 DOGRA in Churanda area of Uri Sector in Baramulla district.
Meanwhile, Armys Srinagar based spokesman said that searches were continuing in the areas following the inputs about the presence of militants. We are not in a position to say whether this is a fresh militant group or the old one. Further information is awaited, the spokesman added.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |