Day 5: Massive Search Operation Against Militants Continues in J&K’s Poonch
Poonch, Apr 19, KNT: A joint anti-militancy operation by security forces entered its fifth day in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, as search teams continue combing the Lasana forest belt where militants are believed to be hiding. The operation, launched by the Army’s Romeo Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), follows a brief encounter earlier this week.
Notably, militants on Monday had reportedly opened fire on the Romeo Force personnel near Lasana village, which lies along the Poonch-Jammu National Highway. One security personnel sustained injuries in the attack.
Security forces have cordoned off large sections of the forest area and are carrying out intensive search operations using aerial surveillance and ground forces.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, B.S. Tuti, confirmed that the region has seen a resurgence in militant activity in recent years. “For the last one and a half to two years, Poonch has been grappling with a fresh wave of militancy,” Tuti said, adding that a coordinated action plan has been chalked out with the Army to neutralize the threat.
“We have identified several areas of concern. Our teams are on the job and results will be visible soon,” he assured.
The operation began on late Monday night, after an exchange of fire between militants and security forces, prompting a large-scale deployment in the forested terrain of the border district. [KNT]
