Srinagar, August 10: Militants, suspected to have infiltrated South Kashmir from the Doda district of Jammu, have engaged security forces in a fierce encounter, leading to the deaths of two Army soldiers and injuries to two civilians in the dense forests of Kokernag, Anantnag district.
According to reports, the militants, believed to be behind recent activities in Doda, crossed into South Kashmir’s Kapran Garol area on August 5, 2024. The Army, utilizing both human and electronic intelligence, confirmed the infiltration and has been closely monitoring the situation.
“The Rashtriya Rifles, in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Police, launched a meticulous operation after tracking the militants’ movements. The operation intensified on the night of August 9 and into the early hours of August 10, when security forces moved into the mountainous region east of Kapran, where the militants were thought to be hiding,” the Army stated.
Around 2:00 PM on August 10, security personnel spotted suspicious activity in the area. When confronted, the militants opened fire, injuring two Army personnel and two civilians nearby. The identity and affiliations of the civilians are currently under investigation.
The Kapran Garol region, located at an elevation exceeding 10,000 feet, presents significant challenges for security forces due to its dense vegetation, large rocks, and difficult terrain. Despite these obstacles, the forces are proceeding with caution to locate and eliminate the militants. The operation is expected to continue overnight as the area is being secured.
Unfortunately, two soldiers succumbed to their injuries, while the injured civilians are receiving medical care at a local hospital. The operation remains active, and further updates are awaited.
