NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, July 16 (NVI): With the terrorist activity on the rise in Jammu region, the Indian Army has launched pro-active counter-terrorist operations and intelligence-based area domination operations to eliminate the threat.
The Indian Army has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with J&K Police to eliminate foreign terrorists who have infiltrated and are moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah areas and thereafter to Kashmir Valley, its spokesman Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said in a statement.
“In light of the incidents in the recent past, proactive counter-terrorist operations continue to be prosecuted,” he said.
It was during one such operation in Urar Baggi area, about 10 kms north of Doda, that a joint search party of the Army and JK Police confronted a group of terrorists hiding there at about 8.40 PM yesterday.
It is a thickly-forested and mountainous area and the visibility was restricted due to low clouds and rain, the Army spokesman said.
As the contact was established with terrorists, they opened fire and in the initial volley of fire, four Indian Army personnel were injured, who later succumbed to their injuries.
“Additional troops and equipment have been inducted to flush out the terrorists and the use of drones and other technical resources is being ensured,” Lt Col Bartwal said.
Similar operations are being relentlessly conducted in the Kathua district, he said.
Kathua saw a deadly attack by terrorists on an Army convoy on July 8 in which 5 soldiers were killed and 5 injured.
Over a month back too, two terrorists had struck the district, killing a CRPF jawan, before they were killed in an encounter.
The Army spokesman said analysis of large quantity of warlike stores recovered from the dead terrorists reveals the hand of inimical agencies from across the border, implying Pakistan.
He said similar intelligence-based and area domination operations are also continuing in the Kashmir region, North of the Pir Panjal ranges.
The Line of Control and the fence are intact and alert troops have recently neutralized three terrorists attempting to infiltrate along with large quantity of war-like stores in Kupwara region on 14th July, the spokesman said.
“We deeply regret the loss of precious lives of our four brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” he added.
“All formations of Northern Command are committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for which the relentless operations will continue,” the Army spokesman asserted. (News Vibes of India)
