18 Days And Counting, Operation In Kashmir

Security forces have arrested two persons alleged to be associates of militants in the Naranag area of Ganderbal district, where one of the longest anti-militancy operations has been unfolding since last month. The operation, which has been continuing for the past 18 days at an altitude of 4,000 meters, has already claimed the lives of two militants. Police suspect at least one more militant is hiding in the area. A police officer said a group of five had infiltrated from the Gurez sector of the Line of Control on September 22, of whom two are believed to have returned after a gunfight broke out some days later. “Two militants have been killed and one is still holding out,” the officer said.

Army sources said infiltration bids had picked up significantly since Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was scrapped on August 5. The army’s 15 Corps chief, Lt Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon, had last month said the force had conducted 350 anti-militancy operations in a span of 15 days in the Gulmarg sector of the LoC in August. A police spokesperson said Ganderbal police, along with security forces, had arrested the two alleged militant associates identified as Chandi Khatana and Wajid Ali Khatana, both residents of Jammu’s Rajouri district.