Anantnag encounter enters fifth day: standoff between army and terrorists continues for over 100 hours

The operation to flush out terrorists hiding in Gadole forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district entered the fifth day on Sunday.

According to PTI, security forces have widened the area of operation to neighbouring villages and fired several mortar shells towards the forest.

They are using drones and helicopters for surveillance of the dense forest area where terrorists are believed to be holed up since 13 September 2023 after killing two Army officers and a deputy superintendent of police in the initial exchange of fire.

As per a India Today report, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi has stepped in to review the operational situation.

The operation has been marked by the loss of four security personnel, including Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat, and a soldier.

The security forces remain committed to flushing out the terrorists, believed to be two or three in number, from the forest area.