Search operations continue in Doda forest area

Intensifying their combing and search operations, security forces and village defence guards (VDGs) opened fire on terrorists twice in a short span in a forest area in Doda on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

The terrorists, who are hiding in the Dhari Gote Urarbagi area of Desa forest in Doda, killed four soldiers, including a Captain, on Monday and fled the spot. Later, search operations were carried out in the area.

Sources said after witnessing suspicious movement in the forest area around 11 pm on Tuesday, security forces opened fire on the suspected group of armed ultras who retaliated and managed to flee. A team of the VDGs, which was also carrying out search operations with the security forces, opened fire on the suspected ultras again around 2 am on Wednesday. However, the terrorists fled the spot. No one was injured during the gunfight.

The exchange of fire was first reported in the Kralaan Bhatta area around 11 pm on Tuesday, and then near Panzan Bhatta in the Desa forest region around 2 am. The VDGs, who opened fire on the group of ultras, informed the security forces that they saw three gun-wielding ultras.

Intelligence agencies believe that the terrorists are armed with night vision and thermal imaging devices installed on their guns. Sources in the intelligence said terrorists were believed to have used thermal-imaging device to target four soldiers recently as it was pitch dark.

The sources said Anantnag district of Kashmir Valley could be approached through the forest from Doda and the ultras might try to slip to the area. Search operations have been launched in the entire region to eliminate the ultras.

Meanwhile, the Army has stated that Pakistani ultras, who have infiltrated into this side of the border, were moving in the upper reaches of districts in the Jammu division.

“The Army has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations in coordination with the J&K police to eliminate foreign terrorists who have infiltrated and are moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts and thereafter to the Kashmir Valley. Similar operations are being conducted in the Kathua area. A series of operations in the recent past have resulted in neutralisation of three terrorists in Gandoh on June 26, besides successfully thwarting Chattergala terrorist attack on June 11,” said Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, a defence spokesperson in Jammu.

Night vision, thermal-imaging devices used

Intelligence agencies believe that the terrorists are armed with night vision and thermal-imaging devices installed on their guns. Sources in intelligence said terrorists were believed to have used thermal imaging device to target four soldiers recently as it was pitch dark.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 18th July , 2024