It is turning out to be one of the longest operations in the jungles of North Kashmir's Bandipora district. Two terrorists and a soldier have been killed so far in the operation.
The operation started on June 9 when terrorists attacked Army troops in the forest area. The area was immediately cordoned and operation to flush out terrorists was launched.
Since the area was huge with dense forests, terrorists managed to change locations to avoid contact with the forces. However, Army plugged all entry and exit routes to prevent their escape. Sources said there were at least five contacts (gun fights) with terrorists at different locations in all these days.
However, after five days, troops achieved success when they neutralised two terrorists. However, Army lost one of its soldiers. The fresh gunfight erupted in the wee hours of Thursday when terrorists ambushed the Army patrol in the forests at Panar. In the initial gunfight, the soldier was grievously injured. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Later, troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight and after hours, two militants were gunned down. "Two terrorists killed and one army soldier martyred in the ongoing operation in Panar forests," said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.
Thursday's incident has come against the backdrop of crucial security review meeting to be held at New Delhi to take a decision whether to extend the Ramzan ceasefire beyond Eid.
Figures reveal since Ramzan ceasefire on May 17 there have been 53 militancy-related incidents across Kashmir, in which 33 people including 24 terrorists, four civilians and five security personnel were killed.
Of the total terrorists, 22 were killed near the Line of Control (LOC). The slain were either newly infiltrated or were trying to infiltrate from the other side of LoC. Since the ceasefire is not applicable on the counter infiltration grid, therefore army carried out its operation against the infiltrators on the LoC
Terrorists have carried 18 grenade incidents since the ceasefire in which 46 people including 17 security men were injured. Terrorists have looted two banks and snatched six riffles from the cops besides carried out series of standoff attacks on the security forces.
