Drones, dogs, more troops: How security forces are circling terrorists in J&K’s Anantnag

Kashmir is on edge. The operations in Anantnag following the death of three security personnel — including the commanding officer of the Army’s counterterrorist unit, 19 Rashtriya Rifles and a young deputy superintendent (Dy SP) of Jammu and Kashmir Police – has entered another day, on Friday morning.

The gun battle in the forest region of Pir Panjal comes even as the bodies of Colonel Manpreet Singh (41), Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, and Major Aashish Dhonchak (34) were retrieved and airlifted to Srinagar. Dy SP Himayun Muzamil Bhat was laid to rest on Thursday, with the image of his father, retired Inspector of J&K Police Ghulam Hassan Bhat, laying a wreath on his coffin, turning everyone’s eyes moist.

We take a closer look at how the security personnel are tightening in on the two terrorists they encircled on Wednesday and what’s expected to happen next.

Manhunt underway

Following the death of the three security personnel on Wednesday, the Indian Army along with the J&K Police launched a manhunt for the terrorists involved in the murders. Earlier, terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the killings.

On Thursday morning, authorities said they had encircled two terrorists, including one named Uzair Khan, who reportedly joined the LeT only last year but has quickly climbed up the ranks.

The authorities have left no stone unturned in the ops – they have deployed Israeli Heron UAVs, quadcopters and sniffer dogs to aid the search. An Indian Express report added that the Para (Special Forces) commandos and additional troops have also been roped in with the neighbouring Rashtriya Rifles units also being alerted. Furthermore, all likely escape routes have been sealed.

Loud explosions could be heard in the thick forest area all through Thursday where the terrorists are believed to be holed up and using the thick foliage and undulating terrain to their advantage.

“The operation has entered into a crucial stage, and the security forces could take another day to flush out the terrorists,” said one of the officials to Hindustan Times. However, there have been no official statements from either the army or the police giving out the details of the operation.

In the ensuing operations, two army soldiers have been injured, with NDTV even reporting that a third soldier has gone missing.

IndiaToday has, however, reported that one more soldier has succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning, taking the total toll to four. However, there is no confirmation on the death.

As per media reports, the General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of the Chinar Corps, Lt General Rajiv Ghai, and the GOC of the Victor Force, Major General Balbir Singh is currently monitoring the operations.

Bidding adieu

While the manhunt and the encounter continues, the security personnel also retrieved the bodies of the slain officials and accorded them with honours before sending them back home.

While Dy SP Himayun Muzamil Bhat was laid to rest on Thursday in Budgam, the mortal remains of Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak have been sent to Mohali and Panipat respectively.

Col Singh will be laid to rest today (15 September) with full military honours, said officials, adding that the Major’s body had been flown to Ambala and the cremation will be held in his native village Bhinjol.

The bravehearts laid down their lives on Wednesday after their teams have received information about terrorists hiding in the forests near the Pir Panjal area. After receiving the intelligence, they launched an operation on Wednesday to flush out the ultras.

However, according to a report by The Print, they lost the element of surprise since the terrorists spotted them and opened a volley of fire from assault rifles as the forces neared the spot. Colonel Singh, who was in the front, was hit by the bullets along with the major and the Dy SP.

Anger spreads

The encounter in Anantnag has evoked anger among the people of the country, against Pakistan and the terror factory that continues to thrive in the neighbouring land.

Amid the ongoing gun battle, Union Minister VK Singh called for the international community to isolate Pakistan. “We have to think (about cross-border terrorism). Unless we isolate Pakistan globally, they will think it is business as usual (to send gunmen across the border to unleash terror). If we have to bring them under pressure, we have to impress on the international community to isolate them. They need to be told that normal ties cannot be restored unless they start behaving themselves,” General VK Singh (retired) said.

Anti-Pakistan protests also broke out in parts of the country, with members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha protesting and raising slogans against Pakistan in Jammu on Thursday. Workers of Dogra Front also staged a protest in Jammu, against Pakistan.

#WATCH | J&K: BYJM workers hold a protest and raise slogans against Pakistan in Jammu over the death of Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Humayun Bhat during an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag yesterday. pic.twitter.com/TkHzQd82u9

— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2023

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena also condemned Pakistan, with MP Priyanka Chaturvedi saying that her party will oppose the India-Pakistan cricket match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

With inputs from agencies