RAJOURI: Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing anti-terrorist operation, codenamed “Operation Sheruwali”, in the dense forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district and assessed the operational dynamics and inter-agency coordination on the ground.According to officials, Operation Sheruwali has been underway for the past five days to track down suspected terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forests of the Dorimal-Gambhir Moghla belt in the Manjakote area of Rajouri district.
The Army launched fire assaults through special forces on suspected terrorist hideouts amid intensified efforts to flush out the militants from the rugged forest terrain, officials said.
In a statement posted on X, Northern Command said, “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander, Northern Command, visited the general area of Gambhir Moghla for an operational review and situational assessment of Operation Sheruwali.”During the visit, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma interacted with representatives of local Army formations, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Intelligence Bureau, Central Reserve Police Force and other stakeholders to review the evolving operational situation and strengthen inter-agency synergy.
The Army Commander also interacted with troops deployed in the operation area and commended their resolve, morale and commitment while operating under difficult conditions.
Emphasising operational focus and professionalism, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma urged all teams to continue pursuing the mission objective with precision, coordination and dedication.
Officials said joint teams carried out extensive and coordinated operations in suspected terrorist hideouts located in dense forests marked by deep gorges and natural caves.
The fire assaults and multi-barrel grenade launcher attacks targeted suspected terrorist locations in the Dorimal-Gambhir Moghla belt as security forces intensified operations to flush out the hiding militants.
Amid plumes of smoke rising from forested areas after the assaults, special forces personnel were also airdropped into the operation zone to neutralise the terrorists.
Officials said security forces are tracking blood stains believed to have been left behind by fleeing terrorists after a hideout was destroyed during an assault carried out on Monday.
On Monday, security forces busted a terrorist hideout after a brief exchange of fire while strengthening the cordon around the operation area where blood stains were later detected.
Backed by helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs, joint teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces are conducting extensive search operations in adjoining areas.
Officials said the security cordon around the operation zone has been further strengthened with the induction of additional troops.
The encounter initially broke out on Saturday in the Dorimal-Gambhir Moghla belt after a joint team launched Operation Sheruwali following intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the Singhpora-Chatroo area.
A joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force launched a massive cordon-and-search operation in the area based on specific information about movement of suspected terrorists.
The operation led to a brief exchange of fire after contact was established with the terrorists, following which security forces intensified search operations in the rugged and heavily forested terrain.
According to preliminary reports, two to three Pakistani terrorists, including a commander, are believed to be hiding in the area.
Earlier, White Knight Corps had stated that contact with terrorists was established around 11.30 am on Saturday in the Gambhir Moghla area during an intelligence-based joint operation carried out with Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force.
