Military action complete; Lashkar commander killed in Anantnag

SRINAGAR: A seven-day-long anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag has come to an end. Two terrorists, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Uzair Ahmed Khan (28), who were hiding in caves in the dense forest and attacking the army, were killed.

The body found on Monday was confirmed to be that of Uzair Ahmed Khan. Another terrorist's body was found yesterday. He has not been identified. Kashmir Police ADGP Vijay Kumar stated that it is suspected that there were three terrorists in the region. Although the operation is over, the area is still being searched. This was the longest military operation against terrorists in recent times.

Meanwhile, the body of a jawan, who went missing on Wednesday, has been found. The deceased jawan has been identified as Pradeep of 19 Rashtriya Rifles. Lieutenant Colonel Manpreet Singh of Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak, and DSP of Kashmir Police Humayun Bhatt were also martyred. Pradeep is a soldier who was with Major Ashish.

The terrorists were hiding in the inner forest of Kokernag Gadool. They were trained to fight in harsh areas. The army, which received a piece of secret information, started the operation to drive out the terrorists last Wednesday. The advance of the army was slow because of the caves and dense forest. Helicopters, most modern drones, and rocket launchers were used. Vijayakumar said that the base of the terrorists was destroyed in the shelling. Several weapons were also found. The army is making its further moves with extreme caution as there is a suspicion that the terrorists may have placed mines in the region to endanger the soldiers.