Shyam Sood
Rajouri, Oct 20: Reportedly there was no counter fire in the last one or two days by the terrorists during an ongoing encounter in a densely forested area of Nar Khas forest in Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district since October 14.
As there was no response from the terrorists during the last twenty-four hours, can it be assumed that they (terrorists) have either been killed, hiding in the safest place, or have slipped from the area with the help of a guide?
The answer would be available only after clearing of all the forested areas followed by intense searches by the Army.
On Wednesday, the tenth consecutive day of ensuing Counter Terrorist Operations, which began on October 11 from Chamrer village on the boundary of Rajouri-Poonch districts, Army continue to clear the entire forested area so that the search and final assault against the hiding terrorists can be launched.
On the first day of the encounter 5 soldiers, including JCO had attained martyrdom while on October 14 a JCO and three soldiers attained martyrdom in a Nar Khas forest in an action against the terrorists.
For the last 10 days, despite heavy deployment of additional forces, para-commandos for the coming operation, use of helicopters/drones for the surveillance of the movement of the terrorists, and dropping of explosives on their possible hideouts, no terrorist was killed till the filing of this report.
Army Chief, General M.M. Naravane has also visited the area and took stock of the security situation and also visited the forward areas, and interacted with the soldiers.
The police have also picked up some civilians who reportedly had provided logistic support to the group (s) of terrorists engaged in the encounter with the Army.
The way terrorists evading direct contact with the Army and tactfully changing their locations indicates that they are highly trained in jungle warfare by the Pakistan army.
Some of the experts suspect the presence of Pakistan Army officers providing operational leadership to terrorists engaged on the ground.
