Search operation launched in Kishtwar; 2 Hizbul terrorists trapped
Jammu Tawi, Aug 10: The massive anti-terror operation in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir entered its 10th day on Sunday, with security forces tightening the cordon around suspected terrorist hideouts in the Akhal forest area. Officials said the ultras, believed to be highly trained in jungle warfare, are using the dense foliage to evade detection despite extensive use of drones.
Since the operation began on August 1, two Army soldiers have lost their lives and nine others have been injured. Two terrorists have also been killed, though their identities and group affiliations are yet to be established. This is the longest-running anti-terror operation in the Valley in recent years.
Top security officials, including J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, are overseeing the operation round-the-clock. Para commandos, helicopters, and surveillance drones have been deployed to track and neutralise the remaining terrorists.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a fresh encounter broke out in Kishtwar district on Sunday morning after security forces launched an intelligence-based operation in Dool area. Acting on specific inputs, troops of the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, supported by the local police’s Special Operations Group and the CRPF, cordoned off the Bhagna forest.
The first exchange of fire occurred around 6:30 am when the hiding terrorists—suspected to be two most-wanted Hizbul Mujahideen operatives, Riyaz Ahmad and Mudassar Hazari—opened fire on the approaching search party. Both have been active in the region for over eight years and had earlier escaped an encounter in Cherji’s Hadal Gal forest on July 20.
The terrorists fled deeper into the forest after the initial gunfight, prompting reinforcements to be rushed to the area. Security forces strengthened the cordon and engaged the terrorists twice more during the day. Although there were no casualties reported on either side, intermittent firing continued till late evening.
The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the encounter in an X post, stating that contact had been established in the early hours and that the operation was ongoing. Officials maintained that both operations—in Kulgam and Kishtwar—were being conducted with “extreme caution” to minimise risks to security personnel and avoid collateral damage.
As night fell, both operations remained active, with the security grid determined to bring the situations to a decisive end.
