shariq's blog: Blogger: User Profile: shariq012

Encounters may increase
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, January 18
There may be increase in the number of encounters between militants and security forces in the near future.

Intelligence sources claim that following snowfall along higher reaches in Pir Panjal mountain range; the militants have started moving towards the low-lying areas, which may result in increase in the number of encounters between them and the security forces.

The sources further said recent encounter between militants and security forces in which two militants and two security forces personnel were killed in the plain-forest area of Dharamsaal in Kalakote tehsil substantiated the fact that following the snowfall along the higher reaches, the militants had begun to move towards the low-lying areas to escape chilly weather conditions. They, however, added that this was annual phenomenon and militants moved to plain areas every winter.

Sources added that the number of militants was probably more in Poonch than in Rajouri district.

“Areas in Poonch district where the militants are probably active include Sangyote, Bhatti Dhar, Kasbalari, Kalaban in Mendhar tehsil, Shindra top (between Poonch tehsil and Kalaban), Khanetar in Poonch tehsil, Hari Buddha in Mandi tehsil, Draba, Mastan Dhara, Mughal Marah, Bufliaz, Hill Kaka and Bachan Wali in Surankote. In Rajouri district, the areas include Ghambir Mughlan, Upper Pangai, Buddh Kanari, Kandi Top and Buddhal”, the sources claimed.

Police sources confirmed that militants had moved to low -lying areas following which, there could be increase in the number of encounters. “Specific information is generated by the police following which operations are planned to eliminate militants.”, a police source said.