Anantnag Operation To Flush Out Terrorists Enters 5th Day, Security Forces Widen Search — Top Points

The security cordon has been extended to the neighbouring Posh Kreeri area to ensure that the terrorists don’t slip into civilian habitation as the Anantnag operation enters fifth day.

Operation to flush out terrorists hiding in Gadole forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district entered the fifth day on Sunday. The security forces have widened the area of operation to neighbouring villages, said the officials, adding that several mortar shells were fired towards the forest. Drones and helicopters are being used by the security forces for the surveillance of the dense forest area where terrorists are believed to be hiding since Wednesday after killing three security officers in the initial crossfire. 

Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer, 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat and a soldier were killed by the terrorists on Wednesday. 

Here are the top developments in the Anantnag operation. 

• On Sunday, the security forces fired several mortar shells towards the forest as the assault resumed for the fifth day, according to the officials. 


• Drones were being used to map several cave-like hideouts in the forest area and pinpoint the locations to carry out attacks on the terrorists, the officials added.


• As per the PTI report, drone footage showed a terrorist running for cover after one such hideout was hit by shells fired by security forces on Friday. 


• As a precautionary measure the security cordon has been extended to the neighbouring Posh Kreeri area to ensure that the terrorists don’t slip into civilian habitation, as per officials. 


• On Saturday, the Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Dwivedi visited the site of the gunfight and took stock of the operational situation. 


• He 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.


• Lt Gen Dwivedi inspected the drone that is being used to survey the area and track the terrorists, as per the officials, adding that he reviewed the operation with senior police and Army officers. 


• The Army Commander also interacted with troops deployed in the operation.