Kokernag: According to sources, at least two Indian Army soldiers vanished during an anti-terrorist operation in the densely forested Kokernag-Gadol area in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Wednesday. According to the soldiers, who are both members of a paracommandos unit, they were part of a joint search team that, after receiving a tip, began an operation to kill terrorists on Monday, October 6.
“The two Army personnel lost contact with their unit and have been untraceable since a joint search operation was initiated following confirmed intelligence inputs that the Army received regarding the presence of terrorists in the area,” the sources continued.
In order to find the missing soldiers, the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a large joint search. The area where the soldiers vanished is said to be densely forested and located along the Pir Panjal mountain range, which borders the districts of Doda and Kishtwar. “The search operation has been difficult due to the recent snowfall and intense rain in the area. Whether the missing personnel were kidnapped by terrorists has not yet been verified, they stated.
More reinforcements are being sent to help with the ongoing search, and security officers have extended the operation into nearby wooded areas.
