Jammu , Oct 22 ( KINS): Indian Army’s counter-terrorism operation in the Nar Khas forest area of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir continued for the 12th day on Friday. The Army launched the operation to flush out the group of militants hiding in the thick forests.
Sources told that 2-4 militants are expected to be hiding in the Nar Khas forest area
“As per the ground assessment, there may be two to four militants operating in small groups.
Forces are moving carefully inside the dense forest areas to hunt them down,” sources told the news agency.
The sources further indicated that the special forces of the Army unit have reportedly surrounded the hiding militants and an encounter could take place at any point in time.
It may be noted that the Indian Army has lost nine soldiers in these operations.
The Nagrota-based 16 Corps commander is keeping a close watch on the operations.
A major tragedy was averted after Army personnel recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) in Poonch district. Giving details of the incident, a defence spokesman informed that the IED was defused by the forces.
The Armymen detected the IED fitted in the branch of a tree in the forest area of Sawalkot in Ratangir ridge.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have asked people not visit the forest area in Poonch district where the search operations are going on.
Reports said that around 6-7 militants were eliminated by the forces ever since the operations kickstarted.
Nine soldiers, including two JCOs, were martyred during the counter-terror operations.
Army Chief MM Naravane visited the area on October 19 along with other Army officers to take stock of the ground situation.( KINS)
