Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): After four-days of extensive searches held in Sukhnag stream in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, security forces today recovered the body of a terrorist who had jumped into the stream after initial exchange of fire between terrorists and forces.
The security forces had not called off the operation after inputs and CCTV footage suggested that there was a possibility that one of the terrorists while fleeing had jumped into the stream.
Extensive searches were carried on in the stream with Army pressing in boats. Sources said that on Thursday, Army pressed in navy divers, who recovered some arms and ammunition from the stream.
“The searches were on and early morning today, navy divers fished out the body of a terrorist from the Sukhnag stream,” a police official told NVI. “Initial investigation has revealed that the body is that of Aqib Ahmed from south Kashmir and he was affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit.”
On Monday, joint team of Police, Army and CRPF had launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Kawoosa area of Narbal in Budgam district, based on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area.
“As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon them, triggering an encounter,” the official said. “There was no further contact between terrorists and forces but it was feared that one of the terrorists had jumped into the stream along with weapons he was carrying.”
Meanwhile, security officials said that boats was pressed into service to trace the body who had drowned in the nearby stream during the initial shootout and they have succeeded in fishing out the body of terrorist during the ongoing search operation.
-CHK
