Security forces engaged in a prolonged search operation in Rajouri’s deep forest have begun inspecting natural caves and crevices as the suspected terrorist group continues to evade capture on the 23rd day of ongoing operations.
Search operations began on May 23 after militants engaged Army personnel in an encounter within the Gambhir Mughlan forest region of the district.
The Pir Panjal region, encompassing Rajouri and Poonch, contains abundant natural caves that serve as safe havens for terrorists entering this side of the Line of Control from Pakistan. In recent years, these dense forests have increasingly become hiding places for terrorists trained in jungle warfare.
However after several days of searches and a tight cordon under Operation ‘Sheruwali’ security forces believe that a natural cave may be serving as a hideout for these terrorists. Despite one militant being injured during the initial gunfight with security forces there has been no trace of the ultras so far. It is believed that it could be a group of two to three militants who were spotted by local residents, who later informed the security forces.
The J&K Police have also tightened their grip around over ground workers (OGWs) and terror associates operating in the region to identify who might have assisted the terrorists after they entered the Gambhir Mughlan forest area. The OGWs generally provide food and water to terrorists as well as mobile phones to keep them connected with their handlers in Pakistan.
It has been learned that known OGWs in the region have been questioned to ascertain details of the militant group.
On the other hand, Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police have called in additional reinforcements to strengthen cordon operations. High scale searches are being carried out in the forest area even on the 23rd day of ongoing searches.
The operation has become one of the longest search operations conducted in recent times in forest areas of Jammu region.
Despite difficult terrain, security personnel remain on high alert conducting extensive searches additional surveillance and area domination measures aimed to track suspicious movements.
On June 7, an Army soldier had lost his life after accidentally slipping from a rock during the search operation.
