Searches on in Kalakot, Pir Panjal range
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19: Security forces have launched search operations in Kalakot and Pir Panjal range of Rajouri district to track down the militants, if any, hiding in the mountains while Northern Command chief Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi visited troops deployed in counter-terrorism grid in Rajouri and reviewed situation and preparedness of the troops.
Reports said a joint search operation was launched in Kalakot after two suspects reportedly visited the house of a late religious leader, sought food and then escaped.
Senior officers have also reached the spot.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi visited troops deployed in the counter-terrorism grid in Rajouri and Kulgam districts of Jammu and Kashmir and complimented the troops for neutralising six terrorists in two separate successful operations.
While five Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in Nehama village during an 18-hour long operation on Friday, another terrorist was eliminated in an encounter in Budhal area of Rajouri district the same day.
In a post on X, Northern Command of Indian Army said Dwivedi visited the troops deployed in the counter-terrorism grid at Budhal in Rajouri district of Jammu region and Kulgam district in south Kashmir on Saturday.
“The Army Commander complimented the Commanders, troops & @JmuKmrPolice for their meticulous planning, jointmanship & synergy, displayed in precise execution & successful conduct of operations in eliminating six terrorists & recovery of war-like stores,” the Northern Command said.
The Army stands by its commitment to keep Jammu and Kashmir terror-free, it said.
Meanwhile, security forces continued searches in Pir Panjal range to track down the militants following reports that few of them could be hiding in the mountains.
Officials, however, described this as routine search operations saying they are carried out from time to time to ensure that the militants don’t manage to sneak in or construct hideouts in the hilly areas of mountains during winters when they are mostly deserted as Gujjars and Bakerwals move down to plains.
Few days back, security forces had gunned down a foreign terrorist at village Behrote in Budhal tehsil of Rajouri district who had reportedly come down to plains from mountainous areas to collect food from the locals.
There were reports that some of his associates might be hiding in the mountains.
Pir Panjal range is used by the militants sometimes to reach South Kashmir.
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