Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 18: As the massive operation in North Kashmir’s Lolab forests entered seventh day today, security forces were fired upon by a group of militants in Lolab forests in the wee hours today. However, the militant group fled under the cover of darkness.
The operation entered sixth day today and more troops were rushed to the forest area after security forces got foot prints of more militants whom they have encircled in the forest area during the operation.
Sources said that a search party of troops was fired upon by a group of militants at Dursu area of Lolab forests early today. “A group of around 6 militants opened fire on troops in the wee hours today. Security forces fired back. However, they fled under the cover of darkness”, sources said.
Security forces cordoned off entire Dursu area and launched massive operation to trace out the militant group. However, since morning no further contact was established with them.
It may be mentioned here that two days ago security forces achieved first success of the massive operation when they killed a militant, Atiqur Rehman alias Khan Baba, in an encounter at Anderbough, Devar in Kupwara forests and recovered an AK-47 rifle from the encounter site.
Security forces launched a massive operation on October 12 in Devar, Lolab, Tekipora forest area in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district after they received information about the presence of a large group of around 20 militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Al-Badar in the forests.
These militants are believed to have infiltrated to these forests this summer through Macchil sector and have been cited recently. The security forces had been planning an operation against them and launched it last week on October 12.
Initially 18 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 28 RR of Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched the operation against these militants.
Sources said that they were later joined by 47 RR and now 31 RR and 9 Para Commandos joined them to tighten noose against the militants, who are in the forests.
Sources said that the operation may continue as the security want to take on these militants in the forests only and prevent them from entering the hinterland.
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