SRINAGAR: Security forces on Sunday recovered a body, believed to be that of a militant, near a cave hideout in the Gadole area of Kokernag, where a prolonged anti-militancy operation is currently ongoing for the fifth consecutive day.
Top official sources informed GNS that the identity of the deceased individual was not immediately established, and it seems likely that the body belongs to one of the militants.
The extensive operation in the Gadole area commenced on Wednesday when militants, in prior confrontation with a joint team of police and army personnel, fatally wounded Army Colonel Manpreet Singh (CO 19RR), Major Ashish Dhonchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat. Two soldiers were also injured, with one of them later succumbing to his injuries.
Yesterday, Army’s Northern Commander, Lieutenant General Dwivedi, accompanied by other officers, visited the site of the gunfight to assess the operational situation. Ground commanders provided him with briefings regarding the operation, which has involved the use of advanced equipment such as drones and helicopters for surveillance.
Earlier this week, ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar stated that two to three militants were trapped in the woods. He also cautioned retired army and police officers against subscribing to the “Ambush Hypothesis,” emphasising that the operation was based on specific intelligence input, indicating that the militants would be neutralised. (GNS)
