2 PARA soldiers missing in south Kashmir operation

Srinagar, Oct 8: The Army on Wednesday launched a search operation in the dense Gadool forests of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district after two of its elite paratroopers went missing during a counter-insurgency operation on Tuesday night.

Sources in the security establishment said that the missing personnel belong to an elite Para (Special Forces) unit and were part of a combing operation in the remote forested area of Kokernag, which has previously witnessed intense encounters with terrorists.

The soldiers reportedly lost contact with their unit late Tuesday evening.

The operation area is known for its unforgiving topography – steep slopes, deep gorges, and thick foliage that severely restrict visibility and movement.

“It is one of the most challenging terrains to operate in. A slight misstep can have serious consequences,” a senior official familiar with the area said.

Adding to the complexity, the area experienced heavy snowfall on Monday evening, further hampering visibility and slowing down ground movement.

Despite the harsh weather and terrain, contingents of Army personnel, including specialised tracking teams, have been mobilised to comb “every inch” of the forest in the ongoing search effort.

The Gadool forests are not unfamiliar territory for security forces.

The area has been under the radar of intelligence agencies for suspected terror activity.

In a tragic incident in 2023, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Donchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Muzamil were killed during an encounter with terrorists in the same area.

The exact circumstances under which the two soldiers went missing remain unclear.

“We are investigating all angles. It could be a tactical separation or disorientation due to the terrain,” said a senior Police official, who requested anonymity. “The area has experienced heavy snowfall.”

Efforts are ongoing to establish contact through communication devices and signal intercepts.

Drones and thermal imaging equipment are also being used to aid in the search, though dense canopy cover has limited aerial visibility.

Visuals from the ground show troops combing through steep, wooded areas, with aerial support assisting in the reconnaissance.

Multiple columns of the Army’s special forces and infantry units, alongside J&K Police teams, have been mobilised for the operation.

Drones, helicopters, and night-vision equipment are being used to aid the search in the thick forest cover, where visibility and movement remain restricted.

Chinar Corps - Indian Army posted on X, “#IndianArmy Operation Update. On the intervening night of 6 and 7 October, an operational team on the Kishtwar range confronted a severe snowstorm and white out conditions in the mountains of South Kashmir. Since then, two soldiers have gone out of communication. Intense Search and Rescue operations have been launched but hampered due to prevailing adverse weather conditions. #Kashmir @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA”