The great challenges in Kashmir Meeting that lasts more than 100 hours

Terrorists hiding in the dense forests of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir have stopped shooting for now, more than a hundred hours into the search operation in which three senior security officials were killed in action.

It is not known whether the terrorists have been killed by the security forces, are still hiding or have fled, as the encounter that began on Tuesday night entered its fifth day today.

Three agents, including two from the Army and a police officer, were killed in action on Wednesday when they tried to approach the terrorist hideout in the middle of the forest.

From rugged terrain to inclement weather, the geography has not been favorable to the security forces so far, but the security forces continue their relentless offensives and are using drones to hunt down the terrorists.

difficult terrain

The terrorists, believed to be two or three in number and belonging to the Lashkar-e-taiba terror group, are hiding in a cave in Gadol forests, a tactically favorable location for them. Dense forests, hills and ditches make the area extremely treacherous. The area is also connected to the Pir Panjal mountain range.

A security team tried to approach the terrorist hideout through the only available route on Wednesday and came under intense gunfire. Trapped between hills on one side and deep ditches on the other, the forces were left without any cover.

Two army officers, Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Bhat, were killed in action. Another soldier is believed to be missing.

Inclement weather

Heavy rain affected counter-terrorism operations on Saturday night. The shooting stopped and the rains offered the terrorists more opportunities to plan their movements, increasing challenges for security forces.

During the intense bombardment a fire also broke out in the forests, but the rain put it out.

Well trained, well supplied

The terrorists appear to be well trained in jungle and high-altitude warfare, and prepared for a long haul, sources say, adding that it may have taken a long time to set up logistics in such treacherous terrain.

In these 100 hours, troops have fired hundreds of projectiles and rockets and attacked suspected terrorist hideouts with high-tech equipment. The terrorists are being monitored with quadcopters and drones.

Army’s Northern Command chief Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi yesterday visited the encounter site and was briefed on how advanced equipment, including drones and firepower, is being used against terrorists.