Search operation against militants continues in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 17: A massive search operation continued for the fourth day on Friday in the south Kashmir district of Kulgam forest, where a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and a soldier were killed in an encounter on Monday evening.


Three militants, including one of them in injured condition, were also arrested by the security forces on Tuesday.

Official sources said that security forces, braving chilly weather conditions due to snowfall in the upper heights and rain in plains, continued search operation in Kund Nowbugh woods in Kulgam district.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan also confirmed that there are still three militants, including a foreigner, hiding in the forest.

He said security forces have launched massive search operation from different directions in the dense forest. However, during the night, the operation was suspended because of darkness to avoid any casualty. With the first light in the morning, security forces resumed the operation, he said, adding that so far, no fresh contact was established with the militants in the forest.

Search operation was started on Monday evening when a militant and a soldier were killed in the encounter.

Security forces have received information that militants of HM and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) are hiding in the forests in south Kashmir after both the outfits suffered heavy losses.