Says investigation launched in civilian presence
Army pays rich tributes to fallen soldiers
Srinagar, Aug 11: The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, V.K Birdi on Sunday said that three to four terrorists are present in the Kokernag forests where the encounter is underway between the security forces and terrorists.
“There are probably three to four terrorists present in Kokernag forests. We have launched an investigation on how civilians were near the terrorists and their possible involvement,” IGP Birdi said.
IGP said the terrorist group might have crossed from Doda, as the Anantnag and Doda borders are connected.
“Security forces had information regarding the movement of terrorists in the upper reaches. A search operation was being conducted in the Gagar-Mandu area. The terrain and weather is a challenge,” he said.
IGP Birdi said that there was an exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists while the anti-terror operation was underway,” he said.
Pertinent to mention here, two Army personnel and one civilian were killed while four others were injured on Saturday in the encounter between security forces and terrorists in Kokernag area of south Kashmir. The extensive search operation continued till late Sunday evening, officials said.
He added, “Two Indian army soldiers lost their lives during the encounter and a soldier who was admitted to the hospital is currently stable.”
IG Birdi said that a civilian succumbed to his injuries in the exchange of fire while another civilian was undergoing treatment at the hospital.
A senior police official told Rising Kashmir that on Saturday, Army 19RR, PC Kokernag and Anantnag’s CRPF164 Bn jointly gave specific information about the presence of terrorists.
“It was followed by a search operation in the dense forest area of Gagermandoo/ Royal Mandoo of Aahlan Gadol and during searches, hidden terrorists fired upon security forces indiscriminately, security forces retaliated for self-defense,” he said.
The police officer said that casualties occurred during crossfire. Due to the challenging terrain and dense forest area, combined with weak communication, the casualties could not be evacuated immediately.
“The terrorists fired indiscriminately at security forces, complicating the situation,” he said, adding that after that reinforcement reached the spot the evacuation of injured and martyred Army personnel started in the area.
The evacuated persons from the encounter site included an injured para commando who was evacuated from the encounter site. He was shifted to 92 base camp Badami Bagh Srinagar via Chopper from Kokernag.
The official said that the second injured civilian namely Ab Rashid Dar s/o Ab Satar Dar R/o Aahlan Gadol was evacuated during night hours by police from the encounter site and was shifted to 92 Base hospital Srinagar.
“Due to darkness the search operation was suspended until early Sunday morning,” he said.
The police official stated that the operation resumed on Sunday, with the Army taking some civilians near the encounter site.
“Among them, a 15-year-old civilian named Farhan Ahmad Naikoo, son of Firdous Ahmad from Aahlan, complained of chest pain. He was initially taken to SDH Kokernag for treatment and was later transferred to DH Anantnag for further care,” he said.
The official said around 1100 hours more bodies of two army personnel were brought down from the encounter site to Aahlan Gadol.
The deceased personnel have been identified as Havildar Deepak Kumar Yadav (No. 15621613X), age 34, from Chapra, Bihar, serving with Para, and Lance Naik Parveen Sharma (No. 2710765N) from Himachal Pradesh. Their bodies were transferred to the Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar for further formalities.
“At around 13:30 hours, the body of a deceased civilian, Meer Mohammad Dar, son of Gh Mohammad Dar from Fremoo Gadol, was brought down from the encounter site,” he said.
IGP Birdi said that another injured civilian, Lateef Ah Dar, son of Gh Qadir Dar from Nagandhar Aahlan Gadol, was also evacuated.
“The body of the deceased was transferred to PCR Srinagar, while the injured civilian was taken by the Army’s 19 RR for treatment and questioning.
The police official said that in this regard Case FIR No 105/2024 u/s 109 BNS 7/27 A. A.Act 13,18,20,23,38 ULA(p) act stands registered in police station Kokernag and investigation has been taken up.
“Search operation is continuously going on. More reinforcements have been rushed towards the encounter site,” he said.
Meanwhile Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army paid tribute to Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, who lost their lives in the encounter with terrorists in Anantnag, on Saturday.
Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army), said in a post on X that “General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and All Ranks of IndianArmy salute the supreme Sacrifice of Bravehearts Hav Dipak Kumar Yadav & L/Nk Praveen Sharma, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, in Anantnag, J&K.
“IndianArmy offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” ADG added.
Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma laid down their lives in the line of duty in Anantnag.
PRO (Defence), Srinagar, Col. MK Sahu said the terror antecedents of the injured civilians are being ascertained.
“The area is above 10000 feet in high altitude, has thick undergrowth, large boulders, Nallahs and re-entrants that poses a serious challenge to operations,” he said.
Lt. Col said that security forces are moving deliberately and are in the process of hunting down the terrorists,” he said.
