To flush out Pakistani terrorists from the mountains of the Jammu region, the security forces have launched a massive Operation like the ‘Operation Sarpvinash’ that was launched 22 years ago on the high-passes of the Poonch district.
Men of the Indian Army, Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs), and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police have taken positions at the high reaches of the Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi districts to target the terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons, including M-4 Rifles and night vision devices, sources said. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other intelligence agencies are also coordinating the Operation.
Northern Army Commander, Lt. General Pratik Sharma is personally supervising the Operation and has been flying to different locations to oversee the developments.
The exercise is being undertaken in the wake of a series of brief gunfights with terrorists in these regions. The Basantgarh area that is the tri-junction of the Kathua, Udhampur and Doda districts, has witnessed several terror strikes in the recent months. The terrorists, who are believed to be trained in jungle warfare, managed to flee after brief encounters with security forces.
It was also said that some regulars and retired soldiers of the Pakistan Army had infiltrated in these areas. Army soldiers were earlier ambushed in the frontier areas of Rajouri, Poonch and the hinterland of Kathua and Doda districts.
Reports say that the security forces have taken up positions in the mountainous areas to track down the Pakistani terrorists who might move to lower places because of snowfall and chilling cold at the high reaches. The ration supplies for terrorists have already been blocked by arresting several overground workers (OGWs) operating with various terrorist outfits.
Lt General Pratik Sharma, visited Kishtwar earlier this week to review the counter terrorism grid and held a detailed interaction with J&K Police, CRPF, IB and Army formations deployed in the region.
Emphasising that in a demanding security environment, countering emerging threats rests on the strength of unified structures, seamless intelligence sharing and synergised response across all agencies, he called for integrated planning, real-time flow of information and a resolute, joint posture to keep Jammu & Kashmir terror-free.
He also visited Hari-Budha in Poonch to assess the operational readiness of units deployed in the sector. He was comprehensively briefed on the prevailing security situation and ongoing Counter Terrorist efforts.
Lt. General PK Mishra, GOC White Knight Corps, along with Major General APS Bal, GOC CIF Delta, visited Gandoh in the Doda district to assess the ground situation and review operational readiness and security dynamics. The GOC encouraged the troops to stay alert, adopt forward-looking measures and maintain a firm and consistent approach in counter-terrorist operations. They also visited locations in the hinterland to assess and strengthen ongoing efforts against terrorism. The GOC urged all ranks to remain highly alert, adopt proactive measures and maintain an uncompromising approach in counter-terrorist operations.