The security operations at Kokernag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir entered day three on Friday as two more security personnel were injured in the fire exchange. There are also unconfirmed reports that one soldier has gone missing.
This comes as two Army officers and a senior police official were killed on the first day of the operation to neutralise the terrorists. Police on Thursday claimed to have "encircled" two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the higher reaches of Anantnag district of south Kashmir.
"In the ensuing operation, two more personnel have been injured. The operation is still under progress," local media quoted the Indian Army. The soldiers are being treated.
The security forces have reportedly deployed heavy-diameter quadcopters (heavy drones) to trace out the hiding terrorists. However, the operation was halted for the night. "All the modern technology is being used in operation to find out terrorists involved in the carrying out the attack," Greater Kashmir quoted a senior Army officer. "The cordon has further been tightened and at same time terrain is very difficult," he said.
Officials said that the terrorists were believed to be hiding in a natural cave in the mountains. The Week had earlier reported how the militants are increasingly adopting the tactic of luring the security forces into an area of their own choosing before trapping them with volleys of heavy gunfire. The area of the encounter is in the hills and forests where militants are already well-entrenched in a vantage position yet with adequate cover from the returning fire. Coming well-prepared to engage, they also position themselves with adequate storage of ammunition, weapons and food in preparation for a long gunfight.
Security personnel arriving at Gadole in Kokernag | PTI
Reinforcements were rushed to the area as gunshots were heard in the Gadole forests of Kokernag. Besides the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces were on the spot and were monitoring the operation against the terrorists. All the exit and entrance points have been sealed.
