Shafqat Nazir
Kishtwar, Jan 19 : A massive search operation is underway in the forest belt of Chatroo in Kishtwar district on Monday after an encounter broke out between militants and security forces late Sunday, officials said.
Security forces have cordoned off the entire forest stretch amid apprehensions that militants may still be hiding in the area. Given the difficult and rugged terrain, additional reinforcements have been deployed, and the operation is being carried out with extreme caution.
Army helicopters have been pressed into service for aerial surveillance, while sniffer dogs are being used to track possible movement routes. Multiple checkpoints have been set up on key roads across Kishtwar district, frisking has been intensified, and vehicles are being stopped and checked as part of heightened security measures.
Officials said troops from elite Para units, along with soldiers of the 11 Rashtriya Rifles and 17 Rashtriya Rifles, are actively involved in the operation.
According to officials, the encounter erupted late Sunday when security forces established contact with militants in the Chatroo area following specific intelligence inputs. During the initial exchange of fire, a grenade blast was also reported.
In the overnight gunfight, eight soldiers sustained injuries. All injured personnel were evacuated from the encounter site and shifted to medical facilities for treatment. Their condition is stated to be stable.
After the initial exchange of fire and the grenade blast, firing stopped, but security forces maintained the cordon and launched a systematic search operation, which continued into Monday.
Authorities said the operation will continue until the entire area is thoroughly sanitized. Further details are awaited as the search progresses. [KNT]
