Pahalgam Attack: Over 15,000 Troops, MI-17 Aircraft Deployed In Baisaran Meadow; No Sign Of Militants

Over 15,000 troops and at least two MI-17 helicopters have been pressed into service in the Baisaran meadow in South Kashmir라이브 바카라 Anantnag district. This comes on the third day after the terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, including one Nepali citizen.

MI-17 helicopters combed the area where militants earlier carried out a targeted attack on the tourists. According to a CPRF official, who was part of the anti-militancy operation, round-the-clock combing in the thickly forested area has been ongoing since Tuesday afternoon.  

The official added that CRPF and personnel from several units of Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have jointly carried out the searches for the anti-militancy operation.

“Several battalions of the Army and CRPF have been deployed here,” said the official who put the number of the security force personnel involved in the operation at over 15,000.

After the terror attack, the army was rushed to the area from several parts of Kashmir. Special action teams (SAT) and para commandos of the security forces were also deployed.

“The Army was brought in from Tral and Kupwara as well,” another security force official told on the condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media. An Indian Air Force (IAF) spokesperson confirmed the use of helicopters of  MI-17 for the operation. The helicopters are being used for reconnaissance purposes, officials further added. Following the attack, security forces believed that the militants were holed up in the area.

Shortly after the news of the militant attack reached local police at Pahalgam, security officials said that teams were rushed to the site of the attack.

Among several units of the security forces which were part of the operation, one was also led by a lady officer.

Combing through the areas has been particularly challenging for the security forces due to the thick forest cover of the region.  According to security officials, their personnel have been working in shifts, and there was no let-up in the searches even during the night hours.