Srinagar, May 31: A brief exchange of fire was reported between terrorists and security forces Friday in MarhaBuffliaz area of Poonch district. It was followed by a massive search operation in the area to trace the accused, officials said.
Defence PRO Jammu, Lt. Col SuneelBartwal told Rising Kashmir that fresh firing was reported between security forces and terrorists late Thursday night. It was followed by massive search and cordon in the dense forests, he said.
“Security forces received specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. Subsequently, a search operation was initiated by the Police and army in the general vicinity of MarhaBuffliaz near DKG,” he added.
Lt. Col Suneel said following the attack, a massive cordon and search operation had been launched in the area to track the terrorists.
“They fired some rounds of bullets, took advance of darkness and fled from nearby dense forests,” he added
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, a large-scale search operation has been launched to locate and apprehend the fleeing terrorists.
The PirPanjal region – Rajouri and Poonch – were free from terrorism since 2003 but major attacks have resumed since October 2021. In the last seven months, 20 soldiers, including officers and commandos, have been killed.
Over 35 soldiers have been killed in action in these areas in the past two years.
On November 22, 2023 Two Army captains and three soldiers were killed in anRajouri encounter. Following the massive searches Two Pakistani terrorists have also been killed during the operation in the PirPanchal region.
A senior Army officer wishing anonymity said that the situation in Kashmir has notably improved, highlighting a shift in the focus of infiltration activities to the south of PirPanjal.
“It’s essential to recognize that infiltration is not confined solely to the Valley. While we have achieved zero infiltration, the measures implemented in recent years, such as strengthening the fence, enhancing deployment, and utilizing advanced surveillance equipment, have significantly reduced the success rate of infiltration,” he said.
The officer said terrorists and their handlers are currently attempting routes through Rajouri-Poonch, specifically the regions south of PirPanjal.
“Infiltration in the Kashmir valley has decreased in comparison to other pathways. The primary focus of infiltration has now shifted predominantly to areas south of PirPanjal,” he added.
