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One of two soldiers missing in South Kashmir forests found dead

The body of the paratrooper was found inside the dense forests of Gadole in Kokernag.

One of two soldiers missing in South Kashmir forests found deadArmy teams are looking for the other paratrooper.

The body of one of the two soldiers who have been missing since Monday was found on Thursday in the Kokernag forests in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The search for the other soldier is underway.

The body of the paratrooper was found inside the dense forests of Gadole in Kokernag. Sources said a preliminary investigation suggested that the soldier was likely to have died of hypothermia as the temperatures in the forest area had plummeted after heavy snowfall.

Army teams are looking for the other paratrooper.

On Monday, the Army lost communication with its two elite para commandos, who were on a combing operation.

The Gadole forests have seen the presence of militants in the past. In 2023, Army Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Donchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Muzamil were killed in a gunfight in the forests.

Police sources said that earlier, militants of Jaish and Lashkar had also set up a base in these forests.

Sources said that large contingents of the Army have been deployed in the area and are combing “every inch” of the forest.

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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