Forces launch search ops in Doda hills

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Doda, October 16

For the last two days, security forces have launched a massive cordon and search operations in hilly areas of Doda district to trap militants hiding in the area.

The operation was launched by the Army on the intervening night of October 14-15 after getting information about the presence of militants in Malna and Hanch areas of Doda.

According to sources, the Army laid a cordon from the Posta area to Bagla, which covered dozens of villages. “It is a huge area and besides being the tough terrain, it has dense forest area also which makes it difficult for the security forces to trace the hiding militants,” said a source. The source said the Army had information about the presence to two to three militants in the area, but till the siege was laid, they might have fled to any other area. “There were reports that Haroon Abbas, alias Moin-ul-Islam, a local militant from Ghat village near Doda town, might be in the area and forces want him to be eliminated before he is able to recruit more youth into militancy,” the source added.

The Army has launched search operation to flush out militants in twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar after three militants were killed in an encounter in Batote area of Ramban district on September 28, which included top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Osama. Two of the three slain militants belonged to Kishtwar district, whereas one militant hailed from Kashmir valley.

The plans of revival of militancy in the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar had a major setback after the killing of Osama and now security forces are after Haroon to shatter the plans of militant organisations to intrude into this area.