Search continues in Udhampur to track down militants after killing of VDG

UDHAMPUR — The search operation to track down the militants in Udhampur district entered the second day on Monday.

Joint forces including the army and police have cordoned off different parts of Chochru Gala Heights in Basantgarh area of Udhampur district where it is believed that militants responsible for the death of a Village Defense Guard (VDG) have been hiding.

Pertinently, yesterday, a Village Defence Guard of Jammu and Kashmir Police identified as M. Shareef lost his life in the firing incident between police and militants. The area since then has been cordoned off and an intensive search operation is being conducted by the combined forces.

Reliable sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that security forces believe that at least three militants are present in the dense forest area.

Six days before this incident, militants gunned down a government employee in Thanamandi Rajouri. Scores of suspects are already in lock-up and are being interrogated.

As per the police, the encounter on Sunday ensued when a team from the police along with VDGs, following an input about the presence of militants, was proceeding towards Chochru Gala Heights. The team came under fire and in the ensuing exchange of gunfire, one of the VDGs, accompanying police personnel, sustained critical injuries and later on, succumbed to his injuries.