Missing soldier found dead in J&K, search operation still continues

Singh was reported missing since September 13, when the three officers – Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Deputy Superint-endent of Police Himayun Muzamil Bhat – were killed during a search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

According to sources, Singh was part of the CO’s quick reaction team (QRT), and was likely to have been hit on the first day itself. Sources said the QRT comprises the fittest men in the battalion.

Sources said two other bodies, suspected to be of militants, have been found – one on Sunday, and the other on Monday. However, there was no official confirmation on this.

Officials said the search will continue on Tuesday. The security forces have deployed all surveillance resources, including the Israeli Heron Mk II UAVs, quadcopters, night vision devices and special forces, in the search operation.

The J&K Police had said earlier that two to three militants had been encircled in the forest.

At least five incidents of terror and infiltration have been reported over the last 10 days in J&K – both in the Valley and in areas south of Pir Panjal.

As reported by The Indian Express last week, this may prompt the security establishment to take a relook at the winter strategy for counter-terrorism.

Three overground workers operating for militants held, say J&K Police

Jammu: The Jammu & Kashmir Police Monday detained three ‘overground workers’ allegedly working for militants in Kishtwar district. Police said the three men were identified as Zahoor-Ul-Hassan alias Nikka Kamal of Kamal Mohalla, Touseef-Ul-Nabi of Jamia Masjid area and Raiz Ahmed of Sounder Dachhan in Kishtwar. They also said the crackdown was aimed at curbing alleged “anti-national activities” and “protecting youth of Kishtwar from being lured by banned organisations”. Kishtwar SSP Police Khalil Poswal said the names of the three had previously figured in various FIRs registered at different police stations in the district. He said the three were booked under Public Safety Act due to their alleged engagement in anti-national activities and for motivating local youths to join banned organizations. —ENS