Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 19: Chief of Army’s Northern Command, Lt General D S Hooda, assessed the preparedness of Army in Kashmir valley and along the Line of Control (LoC) ahead of winter when the mountain passes close due to heavy snowfall.
Lt General Hooda who arrived here yesterday for three day visit, visited Army’s different formations to assess the preparedness of troops for winter operations in Kashmir valley and along the LoC with Pakistan.
The Army Commander soon after his arrival yesterday morning took part in the wreath laying ceremony of Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles, Colonel Santosh Mahadik, who was killed in Manigah village of Kupwara on Tuesday.
During his visit Army Commander was given detailed presentation of the operations conducted by the Army and other security forces in Kashmir valley and along the LoC to stop the infiltration of militants from across the LoC. Army this year killed 55 militants along the LoC with Pakistan and in North Kashmir during operations.
The Army Commander visited the forward areas in Uri sector of Baramulla district and Keran sector of Kupwara district to assess the functioning of the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC with Pakistan. The Army over the years has strengthened the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC and established several tiers of counter-infiltration grid so that if the infiltrators manage to cross the first hurdle then they are tackled at second and third tier.
Sources said that the army won’t lower its guard along the LoC during winters and will continue to patrol the areas to keep continuous vigil on infiltration. Army has inputs that there are over 300 militants waiting on the LoC to infiltrate. The militants are highly trained and have clothing and equipment for infiltration during snow as well.
The Commander also interacted with the troops in the forward areas as part of moral boosting ahead of harsh winter when the weather poses a major challenge for the troops.
The Commander was also briefed about the situation in the hinterland and the operations carried out against the militants including the killing of top commander of Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), Abu Qasim, in South Kashmir last month. He was also briefed about the hoisting of ISIS flags in Kashmir.
Lt Gen Hooda was also briefed about the ongoing operations in Kupwara and Bandipora forests against two groups of militants.
In the meantime, Army today extended the operation to new areas of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district against the killers of Colonel Santosh.
Army cordoned off Kalaroos forest area of Kupwara and conducted searches for the militants today. The search operation in Manigah and Safawali forest areas are already going on.
The operation is being conducted by the Army’s 9 Para, 4 Para and 41 RR against the militant group that is responsible for the killing of Colonel. The Army has also pressed choppers and sniffer dogs into service to track the militants.
The Army today fired several shots as probing fires to check the presence of militants in the forest area but there was no response from the other side.
The militant group had face to face contact with Army three times since last week at different locations in the forests of Kupwara but they managed to escape. The group managed to give slip to army on Friday evening injuring two soldiers at Payerpati forest area in Manigah. They also slipped out of cordon on Monday evening injuring a soldier and killed the Colonel on Tuesday and injured two security men.
The group is believed to have infiltrated last month and was trapped in the snow. On November 10, the Army’s 41 RR had recovered the body of a militant in Kumkadi forests of Manigah who is believed to have died due to severe cold.
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