High-end drones, helicopters deployed in Rajouri
Massive search operations underway against terrorists
Srinagar, Aug 31: The massive search operation against holed-up terrorists continued on Saturday in many villages of Rajouri district with area domination exercises also ongoing in various parts of the region, officials said.
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 at Rajouri and Poonch forests.
“Few days before, a group of Village Defence Guards (VDG’s) opened fire on observing suspicious movement in Meira village of Rajouri district and so far, no contact has been established, but searches are underway,” he said.
“Although there is no contact with hiding terrorists in the Rajouri area, domination exercises are underway in the Rajouri-Poonch belt. Area is being closely monitored. Terror operations are mainly based on intelligence inputs while routine operations focus on area domination and build Awaam Connection,” he said.
Another Army official said that Rajouri forest range is under a tight security cordon to neutralize the infiltrated terrorists. The area is mountainous and the forest is dense, making the operation both difficult and dangerous,” he said.
“We have pressed high end drones and helicopters to assist the marching troops, which includes para-commandos, in the jungle,” he said, adding that the entire forest belt is still under tight security cordon to track down the terrorists.
“We are tracking the possible routes that terrorists might have used and who provided them accommodation. Some suspects who are living in adjacent areas including Poonch district are also being questioned regarding the same,” he said.
The official said more forces were called to expand the cordon in the area and trace the hiding terrorists. As per our intelligence reports, there are 2 terrorist groups with 3-4 members each operating in the Doda-Kathua belt,” he said.
Earlier this week, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Zone, Anand Jain said security forces launched a search operation in village Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal areas following information about some suspicious movement.
“During search operation, a contact was established with terrorists and an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces near the Kheri Mohra area. Further details are awaited,” he said.
