Jammu: The search operation to track down terrorists in Kishtwar district entered the second day on Friday.
One soldier was killed in the encounter that followed the launch of Operation Trashi by a joint team of the Army, police, and paramilitary forces in the Singhpora-Chatroo area on Thursday.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid heartfelt tributes to Army Braveheart Sep Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, who attained martyrdom during an anti-terror operation in Kishtwar.
“Salute to the indomitable courage of braveheart Sep Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation during the anti-terror operation in Kishtwar. The grateful nation will forever be indebted to his valour and unwavering commitment to duty. We stand united in solidarity with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was initiated on intelligence inputs about the presence of three to four terrorists in the region.
“The search operation is ongoing for the second day. Additional troops have been deployed to strengthen the cordon and intensify the operation to track down the hiding terrorists,” official said.
Sepoy Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, who was killed in the encounter, was a resident of Karandi village of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. He was serving in the 17th Rashtriya Rifles deployed in Kishtwar district.
According to reports, four terrorists are trapped in the area.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat visited Kishtwar district where one soldier was killed during an exchange of fire, while four terrorists were still believed to be holed up in the area, officials said.
The DGP visited the Singhpora-Chatroo area on Thursday, where a major anti-terror operation was underway, to review the anti-terror operation and assess the ground situation and operational strategy, a police spokesperson said.
Accompanied by IGP (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti and DIG Shridhar Patil, the DGP held detailed discussions with senior officers from the police, army and paramilitary forces leading the operation in the dense forested terrain, she said.
The joint operation is being carried out by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J-K Police, the army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), following a brief exchange of fire on Thursday.
A massive combing operation was launched to flush out the terrorists suspected to be hiding in the area, the spokesperson said.
Senior officers, including the Kishtwar SSP, are camping at the site to ensure seamless coordination among the forces, she added.
The DGP interacted with the personnel on the ground, lauding their efforts and urging them to continue working with resolve.
He also issued specific directions to bring all those involved in terrorist activities to justice, reiterating the police force’s commitment to sustained counter-terrorism operations to uphold peace and stability in the region, the spokesperson said.
Wreath-laying ceremony held for soldier killed in Kishtwar encounter
Chief of Staff of White Knight Corps Major General Shailendra Singh on Friday led the wreath-laying ceremony for Sepoy Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
The ceremony was held at the military hospital in Jammu before his mortal remains were dispatched to his hometown for the last rites.
Major General Singh, along with other Army ranks, police, BSF, and civilian officials laid wreaths on the tricolour-wrapped coffin of the deceased, officials said.
Sepoy Pandurang was killed in an encounter with terrorists during a cordon and search operation launched by security forces in Kishtwar district on Thursday.
The operation to track down four hiding terrorists is underway in Kishtwar’s Singhpora-Chatroo area, they added.
Sepoy Pandurang was a resident of Karandi village, Akole tehsil, Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. He was serving in the 17th Rashtriya Rifles deployed in Kishtwar district.
