Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: The authorities reopened a stretch of the Jammu-Rajouri National Highway for traffic this morning, more than two weeks after it was shut in view of an ongoing counter-insurgency operation in Bhatta Durrian dense forest belt.
The operation to track down a group of hiding militants, who are responsible for the martyrdom of nine soldiers, in Bhatta Durrian forest in Mendhar along with Surankote forest in Poonch and nearby Thannamandi in Rajouri district entered the 21st day today, the officials said.
While the operation is underway, the authorities allowed traffic on the main highway between Bhimber Gali in Mendhar and Jaran Wali Gali in Surankote in s Poonch district, much to the relief of residents, especially taxi operators who have been demanding its reopening.
The road stretch, which passes along the cordoned-off forest belt, was closed as a precautionary measure on October 15, a day after four Army personnel, including a JCO, were martyred in an exchange of fire with the hiding militants in Bhatta Durrian forest, the officials said.
The operation started in Surankote forest on October 11 following the martyrdom of five soldiers, including a JCO, and was subsequently extended to Mendhar to neutralize the fleeing militants.
The contact with the hiding militants was only established twice on October 11 at Surankote and Thannamandi and again at Bhatta Durrian on October 14, the officials said. After the firing on October 24 in Bhatta Durrian, which left the Pakistani militant Zia Mustafa taken from Kot Bhalwal jail to Mendhar for identification of the route, dead, there was no contact with the hiding militants.
A major part of the forest belt was cleared to allow the authorities to reopen the highway and villagers to resume normal activities, the officials said.
They said there was no breakthrough against the holed up militants who are avoiding direct contact with the search parties and are on the run taking advantage of thick foliage, natural caves and difficult terrain.
“The operation is now going on deep inside the forest with a number of natural caves. The search parties are clearing the caves and moving cautiously to neutralize the suspected militants,” an official said.
Over one and a half dozen persons, including two women, were detained so far for questioning after it came to light that they allegedly provided logistic support, including food and shelter, to the militants, the officials said.
Rajouri and Poonch in districts have witnessed a rise in infiltration attempts since June this year, resulting in the killing of nine militants in separate encounters.
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