Kokernag operation enters Day 5: J&K search operation for militants on, drones, heavy weapons used

Sources said the body of a soldier, who was reported to be missing earlier, was spotted but couldn’t be retrieved yet as it was near a cave where the militants are suspected to be taking shelter.

On Sunday, security forces pounded the suspected militant hideout with mortar shells, setting it on fire. However, there was no confirmation on whether any of the militants were killed.

On Sunday, the suspected hideout was pounded with mortar shells. (PTI)

J&K Police had said earlier that two to three militants have been encircled in the forest. On Saturday, Army helicopters had dropped paratroopers and soldiers on the higher reaches of the forest, above the area where the gunfight took place on Wednesday.Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzamil Bhat were killed on September 13, during a search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

From left: Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Deputy SP Himayun Muzamil Bhat

While defence sources in Delhi had said one soldier was reported to be missing, the Army had said two other soldiers were also injured “in the ensuing operations”.

On Saturday, Northern Army commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi reached Kokernag to review the operations. He was briefed by senior officers.

Besides the initial confirmation on the deaths of the officers, both the J&K Police and the Army have maintained silence on the operation.