Civilian dies, Anantnag gunfight toll 3

Adil Akhzer

Srinagar, August 11

As the fierce encounter between militants and security forces in the upper reaches of south Kashmir’s Anantnag continued for a second day on Sunday, the death toll in the operation rose to three as an injured civilian succumbed to injuries, officials said.

The encounter began during a cordon and search operation on Saturday afternoon in the remote Ahlan Gagarmandu forest of Kokernag at an altitude of 10,000 ft.

As the operation entered the second day, top police officers rushed to Anantnag, with sources maintaining that the security forces have launched a massive search operation in the Doda-Bhaderwah region, which is connected to Anantnag through forests.

Security officers suspect that the group of militants may attempt to enter Doda belt again.

VK Birdi, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone was among the top police officers who reached Anantnag district on Sunday morning. He said an intensive search operation was going on in the upper reaches of Gagarmandu forests.

He said two soldiers attained martyrdom, while the third was undergoing treatment and is said to be stable now. Besides, one of the civilians succumbed to the injuries, while another is stable and undergoing treatment.

Responding to a question about the possible involvement of civilians with militants, the IGP said the presence of two men close to the encounter site was being investigated.

He said it was premature to say if the group came from the Doda region and entered Kashmir. “But the area is close to the border district of Doda. This information can be shared only after the operation concludes,” he said, adding that it is suspected that it was a group of two to three militants.

Police sources told The Tribune that there had been no fresh contact with the militants’ groups and a massive search operation was underway. They stated that injuries to security forces and civilians took place during the initial contact with militants.

“The security forces are proceeding cautiously as the area is located in the mountains and the terrain is extremely difficult,” said one of them.

Residents of nearby villages claimed that the Army had taken some of the villagers along with them on Sunday morning. “Several civilians were taken by the Army this morning. Many have returned home by evening,” said Javaid Ahmad, a villager.

Locals further said the deceased civilian was among the group of people, who usually shift to mountains during summers along with their cattle and live in mud houses.

Meanwhile, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Lt Col MK Sahu could not be contacted.

Srinagar-based Chinar Corps on Sunday said it salutes the “supreme sacrifice” of bravehearts Havalder Dipak Kumar Yadav and Lance Naik Praveen Sharma, who “laid down their lives in the line of duty in Anantnag.”

“Chinar Warriors salute their immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families,” Chinar Corps wrote on X.