Anantnag encounter: Civilian dies, raising death toll to three

The death toll from the ongoing counter-terror operation in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, increased to three on August 11, following the death of a civilian who succumbed to injuries sustained during the encounter.

Officials reported that Abdul Rashid Dar, who was injured by terrorist gunfire on August 10, passed away early morning on August 11 in a hospital. The clash, which took place in the Ahlan Gagarmandu forest region—located at an elevation of 10,000 feet—also resulted in the deaths of two Army personnel and injuries to another civilian.

The encounter began on August 10 evening when security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence about terrorist activity in the remote Kokernag area. The joint search team, comprising Army soldiers, including para commandos, and local police, came under fire from a group of terrorists hidden in the dense forest.

Six Army personnel and two civilians were injured in the exchange of gunfire. The wounded soldiers were quickly evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where two of them, identified as Havildar Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, succumbed to their injuries.

The operation to track down the terrorists continues, with reinforcements sent to the area to assist in the effort.

The challenging terrain, characterized by thick undergrowth, large boulders, and rugged mountainous features, has made the pursuit difficult, but security forces are proceeding cautiously to neutralize the remaining terrorists.

This incident is reminiscent of a previous encounter in the Kokernag region last September, where four security personnel, including Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish, and Deputy SP Humayun Bhat, lost their lives during a prolonged engagement with terrorists.

That operation also saw the elimination of two militants, one of whom was a senior commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The recent increase in counter-terrorism activities in the Kokernag area follows a deadly encounter in Doda district on July 15, which resulted in the deaths of four soldiers, including a captain. It is suspected that the terrorists involved in the current Anantnag incident may have crossed over from Kishtwar district after evading the Doda operation.

According to a Srinagar-based defense spokesperson, it was confirmed through human and electronic intelligence on August 5 that the terrorists responsible for the July violence in Doda had moved across the Kishtwar range into the Kapran-Garol area of south Kashmir. The Rashtriya Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched precise operations on the night of August 9 and 10 in the mountains east of Kapran, where the terrorists were believed to be hiding.

Suspicious activity was detected at around 2 PM on August 10, prompting security forces to challenge the movement. This led to indiscriminate and reckless firing from the terrorists, injuring two Army personnel and two civilians in the vicinity.

The defense spokesperson noted that the difficult terrain, with its thick vegetation, large boulders, and nallahs, presents significant challenges to the operation. Security forces are meticulously combing the area in their pursuit of the terrorists, while the situation remains tense. The terror links of the injured civilians are currently under investigation as part of the ongoing operation.