Jammu Tawi: Security forces on Monday resumed a massive search operation to track down a group of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists hiding in the dense Khankoo forest of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The joint operation by the Army and police, launched on Sunday afternoon in the Cherji area between Dachhan and Nagseni, had triggered a brief gunfight with the terrorists, believed to include two top militants carrying bounties of ₹30 lakh each.
Following the exchange of fire, reinforcements were rushed, and a large-scale manhunt was launched. The operation was paused Sunday night and resumed at first light on Monday, with drones, sniffer dogs, and additional troops combing the rugged terrain.
Terrorists on the Run, Escape Routes Sealed
Officials said the suspected terrorists fled into thick forests, prompting forces to seal off escape routes and expand the operation to nearby areas. The search is being hampered by dense foliage and difficult topography, but officials remain confident of tracking them down.
The terrorists are believed to be affiliated with the banned Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, a group with deep roots in the region’s insurgency. Their presence in Kishtwar marks a significant escalation in militant activity in the region.
Security forces remain on high alert, and the operation is ongoing as of the latest reports. (Agencies)
