Sahil Bhat
Srinagar, Sep 19 (KB): Additional Director General of Police Kashmir (ADGP), Vijay Kumar on Tuesday said that two militants including top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) Commander Uzair Khan was killed in a Kokernag encounter, which began in the Gadool forest area of Kokernag hamlet in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday. A lifeless body was also found near the gunfight site, as the operation has now entered its 7th day, and the total number of casualties on the forces’ side stands at four, while two bodies of hidden militants have also been spotted at the encounter site among which one has been retived, officials said.
The operation, which has been ongoing for the past seven days, reached a turning point today as two bodies believed to be of militants have been recovered. “The cordon was tightened to prevent the militants from escaping, and all entry and exit points were sealed during these seven days. “In addition to this, state-of-the-art new technology weapons, including drones, RPG launchers, and others, were deployed in the search.”
Sharing the details of the operation with the media, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Vikaj Kumar, told reporters that the LeT militant behind the killing of a colonel, a major, and a DSP has been killed, and his body has also been retrieved from the spot. There is another body lying at the spot. “We had inputs about the presence of three militants, and the search for the third body is ongoing, as the area has not been searched entirely yet.”
“The search operation in the area will continue, and I would like to request civilians not to approach the encounter site, as unexploded grenades or shells may be present, which could harm them,” said ADGP Kumar.
Previously, on Wednesday, a colonel, a major, and a DSP of J&K police were killed in the initial assault by the militants. “On the sixth day, the body of the missing army personnel, namely Sepoy Pradeep Singh, was recovered and transported back, later today, in the morning, the mortal remains of Sepoy were sent to his hometown for the last rites with full military honors, after which the total number of casualties on the forces’ side stands at four.
It is important to mention that, the army and police had utilized the latest gadgets, including Heron, Hexacopter, drones, quadcopters, RPGs, grenades, and drone-fitted guns during these seven days. “The operation was the longest and continued for seven days, with a search operation to continue in the area, as many spots have not been searched yet.” (Kashmir Bulletin–KB)
