• 2-3 terrorists believed to be trapped in Doda forests: Officials
• Massive searches going on, encounter underway
• Alert sounded in entire region
• Drones, special teams deployed
Srinagar, June 9: A fresh encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Goli-Gadi forest area of Doda district on Tuesday evening. The Army, police, and CRPF have launched a search operation to track down the terrorists.
A senior police officer said that two or three terrorists are believed to be trapped in Goli-Gadi forest area, which borders Kishtwar district on one side and Anantnag on the other.
“The encounter started on Tuesday evening and 2-3 terrorists have been trapped in the forest area. Hopefully they will be neutralized till Wednesday morning,” he said, adding that drones, choppers are in place to track their movement.
The officer said security forces conducting the searches are being supported by helicopter and drone surveillance.
The Army has also deployed para-commandos to the area. Additionally, the J&K police have deployed their Special Operations Group, which primarily handles anti-terror operations.
Earlier based on specific intelligence inputs, an anti-infiltration operation was launched in the dense forests of Doda. Contact was established with infiltrating terrorists and Operations are in progress, he added.
He said hiding terrorists opened fire on the security personnel, who retaliated, thereby triggering a gunfight. Heavy firing was going on between the two sides when last reports were received.
“The entire forest belt is still under tight security cordon to neutralise the terrorists. The area is mountainous and the forest is dense, making the operation difficult and dangerous. We have deployed additional companies at the nearby areas” he said.
The police officer said that it is the same group of terrorists that was roaming in the region. They have recently infiltrated. We are hopeful that we will succeed in eliminating the entire group of terrorists involved in this attack,” he added.
Meanwhile, high alert has been issued in DodaBhaderwah range and security has been tightened, with ‘Naka’ checking and rigorous vehicle inspections implemented across the region.
Security has been tightened, with ‘Naka’ checking and rigorous vehicle inspections implemented across the region.
Both DIG Doda Range ShridharPatil and SSP Doda were not available for official comments on the issue.
On Monday afternoon, five soldiers were killed and five others injured when terrorists ambushed a convoy of two Army trucks in Kathua district.
On June 12, seven security personnel, including 5 Armymen, were injured after twin terrorists in Chattergala and GandohBhalessa areas of Doda district in the Jammu region.
The Jammu and Kashmir police have released sketches of four terrorists believed to be hiding in the area, offering a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to their capture.”
