Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Jan 14: Massive search operation continued in the Cherhar forests of Sopore in North Kashmir and adjoining villages today against the group of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group, three members of which were killed in an encounter in Sopore yesterday.
The search operation against a 7-member group of JeM was launched by Police and army on Friday in Cherhar forests and so far 3 militants of the group including the divisional commander of JeM, Abu Hassan, were killed.
Sources said that the Army and police continued searches in Cherhar forest against the 4 members of the JeM who they feel are hiding in the forest area or nearby villages after their hideout was busted by security forces on Friday.
Today 22-RR conducted searches in village Botengu and Muqam after reports that some of the members of the group have fled to these two villages. The searches were on till reports last came in. However, no contact was established with the group so far.
Divisional commander of JeM, Abu Hassan his two associates Muzamil alias Farooq and Rizwan, were killed in Dooru yesterday by SOG and 22 RR of Army after police received information about their presence in the village.
Sources said that it was a group of seven militants who were hiding in Cherhar forests against whom operation was launched by police and Army on Friday. These militants were part of around 10-12 militants of JeM who were operating in Lolab area. All these militants have infiltrated last year and after continued operations against them by the security forces, part of the group had shifted to Cherhar forests.
Sources said that the chief of JeM, Adil, who was part of the group was first to shift out of Lolab to Tral area of South Kashmir two months ago. The entire group was tasked to revive the JeM in Kashmir but security forces have achieved major success against them by killing their three members.
It may be mentioned here that Army’s 27 RR and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a massive operation in North Kashmir’s Sopore forests on Friday and it was extended to adjoining villages after security forces felt that part of the group had fled to nearby villages.
The operation was extended to nearby villages of Marbel, Chirhar, Hard Shiva, Yemberzal, Rishipora, Rampur and Rajpur of Cherhar forests on Saturday. Army’s 14, 22 and 30 RR and 5 Para joined the operation to assist the troops who had initially cordoned off the area.
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