2 soldiers missing in south Kashmir forest, massive search op underway

Two Army soldiers have gone missing in the forest areas of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, prompting security forces to launch a massive search operation.

Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said on X late on Wednesday night, "On the intervening night of October 6 and 7, an operational team in the Kishtwar range encountered a severe snowstorm and whiteout conditions in the mountains of south Kashmir. Since then, two soldiers have lost communication. Intense search and rescue operations have been launched, but progress has been hampered by prevailing adverse weather conditions."

Locals from nearby villages stated that an “intense search” is in progress following the disappearance. A resident of Ahlan Bala, located near the Gadool forest, told The Tribune that the location where the soldiers went missing is approximately nine kilometers from the last village.

“There was heavy rainfall in the area, and the higher reaches experienced snowfall. It’s very difficult to say where they might have gone,” the local said.

The Gadool forests have seen militant activity in the past. In September 2023, three security personnel — Col Manpreet Singh, Maj Ashish Donchak, and Jammu and Kashmir Police DSP Humayun Muzamil — were killed in a fierce gunfight in the same area. That operation lasted several days and ended with the killing of two militants.

In 2024, a Territorial Army soldier also went missing during a search operation in the same forest. His body was later recovered by security forces.

Security officials remain cautious about drawing conclusions. “The weather conditions in the area were extremely bad. At this point, we cannot confirm whether militants are involved. Our focus is on locating the missing soldiers,” an official said.