Jammu-Kashmir encounter: Why Anantnag’s special operation has turned into 80-hour gunfight?
The special operation taking place in Jammu-Kashmir Anantnag is continuing, with the gunfight between terrorists and the security forces still advancing on its fourth day.
Day 4 of the Jammu and Kashmir encounter has come to an end with the gunfight between the terrorists and Indian security forces still advancing, making Anantnag a battlefield with tricky weather, dense forests, and uncertain terrain.
The skilled terrorists who had infiltrated the country from Pakistan had been hiding in the lush forests of Jammu and Kashmir for several days, with an intelligence report exposing their location leading to a gunfight between the Indian Army and their banned organization.
The Indian security forces have lost three jawans in the process of the encounter - Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles and Deputy Superintendent Himayun Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police – while one soldier is missing and two officers have been injured.
The encounter began in the early hours of Wednesday but is still advancing due to tough terrain and extreme weather conditions. The path that the soldiers have to use is very tricky to climb, with forests on one side and a deep ditch on the other side.
Apart from the dense forests, the continuing heavy rains have made the path more slippery and reduced visibility, leading to the operation now going on for four days. The rains have also made it harder for the Indian Army drones to scope out the exact location of the terrorists.
Further, a fire broke out near the cave where the terrorists had been hiding, making it harder for the Army and security personnel to approach the area and ambush them. Because of this, the Indian Army had to change strategies, which is why the encounter has now advanced into its fifth day.
The Indian forces have revealed that Pakistani terrorists are attempting to infiltrate the country by crossing the border of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with the Pakistani forces giving them cover fire. Several terrorists have been gunned down and the operation is close to being deemed a success.
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