Massive search operation resumes in Kupwara woods

Srinagar, July 17: Massive search operation resumed with the first light on Tuesday morning in the dense woods in the frontier district of Kupwara, where a militant was killed and two soldiers were injured in encounter, official sources said.

They said the search operation, halted on Monday night due to poor visibility to avoid any casualty, was resumed early this morning with the first light against the militants hiding in the woods at Safawali Gali near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara.

However, no fresh contact has been established with the militants hiding in the forest so far, they said, adding that a large number of troops have joined the operation from different directions to neutralise them (militants).

The search operation was launched in the woods early yesterday when militants fired upon a patrol party of troops in which two soldiers were injured. However, in the retaliatory fire, an unidentified militant was killed and some arms and ammunition were recovered.

A soldier Mukul Meena was killed and another injured in the encounter in the Kupwara woods on July 11 where a militant was also gunned down by troops next day on July 12.

Meanwhile, troops have intensified foot and night patrolling in the areas near the LoC to foil any attempt by militants to sneak into this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to snowfall. Large number of militants are waiting at launch pads in PoK to infiltrate into this side.