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Army establishes permanent grid in Hil Kaka area
New Delhi, July 09: After having destroyed terrorist infrastructure and killing 65 terrorists in the Hil Kaka and neighbouring areas of Jammu and Kashmir, army has laid a permanent grid around the area to prevent a return of Pakistan-backed militants there.
New Delhi, July 09: After having destroyed terrorist infrastructure and killing 65 terrorists in the Hil Kaka and neighbouring areas of Jammu and Kashmir, army has laid a permanent grid around the area to prevent a return of Pakistan-backed militants there.
Additional troops have also been deployed in the fringe
areas of Darhal and Thana Mandi to carry out further cleansing
operations, an army spokesman told here.
As many as 65 terrorists have been killed, 119 hideouts busted and large quantity of arms and ammunition seized during 'Operation Sarpvinash', launched this April, whereas only five army personnel laid down their lives, he said.
The operation was carried out by a force level of two brigades, covering an area of about 150 square kilometres, he said, adding that since the operation was destined to spill over to the fringe areas, proper coordination was carried out with the troop formations on the west and across the Pir Panjal range.
He said the success of the operation could be guaged by the "disproportionate casualties" inflicted on the terrorists, adding that 13 of them were eliminated for one soldier.
The decision to launch 'Operation Sarpvinash' was taken in January this year with an aim of denying terrorists a secure base and neutralising them to the maximum possible extent, the spokesman said.
Army approached the state government to prevent entry of Bakarwals (shepherds) into the area by paying them a financial compensation.
The Jammu and Kashmir government allocated a sum of Rs 7.5 crore for the purpose, thus denying any support to terrorists and allowing greater degree of flexibility to the security forces in their operations.
Three helipads and a mule track were constructed in the area between January and March and choppers deployed for logistic support and sustenance in the Hil Kaka bowl.
Besides the two brigade force level, two battalions were also deployed in the east of Pir Panjal range to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists, he said.
Describing the operation as "well-coordinated and well-executed", the spokesman said there was a good synergy between the armed forces and the intelligence services, police and other paramilitary forces besides the state government.
He claimed that the success of 'Operation Sarpvinash' has had a demoralising impact on terrorists in surrounding areas of Surankot, Bafliaz, Thana Mandi and Rajouri. Bureau Report
As many as 65 terrorists have been killed, 119 hideouts busted and large quantity of arms and ammunition seized during 'Operation Sarpvinash', launched this April, whereas only five army personnel laid down their lives, he said.
The operation was carried out by a force level of two brigades, covering an area of about 150 square kilometres, he said, adding that since the operation was destined to spill over to the fringe areas, proper coordination was carried out with the troop formations on the west and across the Pir Panjal range.
He said the success of the operation could be guaged by the "disproportionate casualties" inflicted on the terrorists, adding that 13 of them were eliminated for one soldier.
The decision to launch 'Operation Sarpvinash' was taken in January this year with an aim of denying terrorists a secure base and neutralising them to the maximum possible extent, the spokesman said.
Army approached the state government to prevent entry of Bakarwals (shepherds) into the area by paying them a financial compensation.
The Jammu and Kashmir government allocated a sum of Rs 7.5 crore for the purpose, thus denying any support to terrorists and allowing greater degree of flexibility to the security forces in their operations.
Three helipads and a mule track were constructed in the area between January and March and choppers deployed for logistic support and sustenance in the Hil Kaka bowl.
Besides the two brigade force level, two battalions were also deployed in the east of Pir Panjal range to intercept and neutralise the fleeing terrorists, he said.
Describing the operation as "well-coordinated and well-executed", the spokesman said there was a good synergy between the armed forces and the intelligence services, police and other paramilitary forces besides the state government.
He claimed that the success of 'Operation Sarpvinash' has had a demoralising impact on terrorists in surrounding areas of Surankot, Bafliaz, Thana Mandi and Rajouri. Bureau Report