Anantnag encounter Day 5: Army shells suspected terrorist hideouts in Gadole forest, vigil at villages
The operation to flush out terrorists hiding in the Gadole forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district entered the fifth day on Sunday. The security forces widened the area of operation to neighbouring villages and fired several mortar shells towards the forest, officials were quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Security forces are using drones and helicopters for surveillance of the dense forest area where terrorists are believed to be holed up since Wednesday. Two Indian Army officers and a deputy superintendent of Jammu & Kashmir Police lost their lives in the initial exchange of fire with the terrorists.
There were several cave-like hideouts in the forest area and drones were being used to pinpoint their locations. A drone footage showed a terrorist running for cover after one such hideout was hit by shells fired by security forces on Friday.
The security cordon has been extended to neighbouring Posh Kreeri area as a precautionary measure to ensure that terrorists don't slip into civilian habitation, the officials told PTI.
The Northern Army commander on Saturday visited the site of the gunfight to take stock of the operational situation.
Lt Gen Dwivedi was briefed by the ground commanders on the high-intensity operations, in which hi-tech equipment is being used for surveillance and delivery of firepower, along with the high impact of precision fire being used by the forces.
The Northern Army commander inspected the drone which has been used to survey the area and track the terrorists, the officials said.
The police believe two to three terrorists are trapped in the forest area as the forces maintained a tight cordon.