• Drones, quadcopters being used for aerial surveillance
• Hundreds attend funeral of slain VDG member
Srinagar, Apr29: A day after a member of Village Defence Guards (VDG) was killed in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Panara village of Udhampur district, a massive search operation is underway to trace the four terrorists in dense forests of the region, police said on Monday.
According to a police official, the operation is challenging due to the area’s thick vegetation and difficult terrain, providing ample cover for the terrorists. Drones and helicopters are being utilized to monitor the region, while additional troops have been deployed to strengthen the cordon around the area of the encounter.
“The area of operation is dotted with thick jungles and slopes, providing the hiding terrorists a cover. The security forces pressed into service drones and helicopters to maintain a vigil of the encounter site. Additional troops have been rushed to fortify the cordon in the area,” he said.
Meanwhile, both Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are being provided support by small quadcopters and larger drones to keep an eye on the entire area. Technical and Human intelligence is being used to trace out to hiding terrorists.
The officer said more troops have been deployed to trace the hiding terrorists. “We have cordoned off the area, and all routes leading to the forests are now sealed off. Presently, there is no firing from either side,” he said.
“So far, this operation remains in progress, with additional troops arriving and the cordon is being further tightened. Four terrorists are believed to be holed up inside the dense forests. Additional lighting has been deployed in the area to facilitate the operation,” he added.
On Monday, Village Defence Guard (VDG) MohdSharief, who lost his life in a gunfight with terrorists, was laid to rest amid pouring rain at his ancestral Panara village in Udhampur.
Sharief (47) was killed when a group of terrorists, who have recently infiltrated from across the border, attacked a joint patrolling party of police and VDG in Panara village of Basantgarh.
The funeral prayers for Shareef drew hundreds of villagers, marking an emotional farewell for the deceased VDG’ member , who was survived by his wife and five children. Amid poignant scenes, he was later buried at his ancestral graveyard.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain also paid rich tributes to the brave-heart for valiantly fighting the terrorists who fled after the initial gunfight.
MohdAbaaz, brother of Sharief and also a VDG member, said they were together when terrorists opened fire on them during area domination patrolling.
“There were two groups of terrorists with nine members. I told him to be careful but he was caught in an open area and became a direct target. I along with another member took a shield in a nearby house. They rained about 50 bullets non-stop (before fleeing),” he said.
Abaaz said the encounter had taken place after a gap of more than 15 years. “We had encounters in the past and we are ready to take on them (terrorists)”.
