Day 3: Search ops in Kishtwar forests continue to track terrorists

Srinagar, May 24: The massive search operation continued for a third straight day on Saturday against holed-up terrorists in the dense forests of the Singhpora-Chatroo region of Kishtwar district of Jammu region.
The operation is being carried out jointly by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, Indian Army, and other paramilitary forces including CRPF.
PRO Defence Jammu Division, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal told Rising Kashmir that a massive search operation is underway in the dense forests and technical equipment has been deployed to trace terrorists and monitor the search operation.
He said presently searches are underway in upper reaches of Kishtwar to track the terrorists that are taking shelter in densely forested areas. The operation entered its 3rd day on Saturday and no contact was established with the terrorists.
“The forest belt is under a tight security cordon to neutralize the terrorists. The area is mountainous and the forest is dense, making the operation both difficult and dangerous,” he said.
Meanwhile, to further enhance security, additional Mobile Vehicle Check Points (MVCPs) have been established across the district to monitor suspicious movements and ensure public safety.
“Moreover, Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs), ambushes, and intensified patrolling have been launched, particularly in high-density forest areas, to flush out any possible terrorist presence and secure the district,” he said.
The official said Police, along with partner security forces, remain committed to maintaining peace and thwarting any attempt to disrupt normalcy in the district.
“We urge the public to cooperate and request citizens to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police establishment,” he said.
The official said drones and helicopters were pressed into service to assist the marching troops, which included para-commandos, in the jungle,” he said, adding that the entire forest belt is still under tight security cordon to track down the terrorists.
“Tracking terrorists in dense forests is a little bit challenging due to the dense foliage, limited visibility. We are using both aerial and sniffer dogs to track the terrorists,” he added.
Operation Trashi, launched on Thursday by a joint team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces, was initiated following intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of three to four terrorists in the area.
A fierce exchange of fire marked the first day of the operation, during which Sepoy Gaykar Sandip Pandurang of the 17th Rashtriya Rifles was killed in action. The 24-year-old soldier hailed from Karandi village in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district.
On Friday, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat-IPS, visited the Singhpora-Chatroo area of District Kishtwar, where a major anti-terrorists operation is currently underway.
He personally visited the dense forests and mountainous terrain, encouraged the deployed personnel, and issued directions to ensure that all terrorists involved are dealt strictly and brought to justice.
DGP lauded the synergy among all security agencies and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to maintaining peace and order in the region through sustained and focused operations.