Sungalan Forest Bust: Joint Forces Thwart Terror Plot in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar: In a significant breakthrough against terrorism, the Anantnag Police, in collaboration with the Indian Army’s 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), busted a terrorist hideout in the dense Sungalan Forest of Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday.

The joint operation led to a recovery  of arms, ammunition, that also include   incriminating materials, thwarting plans to disrupt peace and stability in the Kashmir Valley.

As per the insiders, following actionable intelligence, security forces launched an intensive search in the rugged and densely wooded  terrain of Sungalan Forest which led to the discovery of the hideout. The search team recovered a cache of war-like stores, including firearms, explosives, grenades, and other logistical supplies.

Items seized from the hideout include batteries, used cartridges, a smartphone, a radio set, a small telescope, a power bank, cooking utensils, a gas cylinder, and several bags suggesting that the site was intended to support prolonged terrorist operations.

According to a senior police official, “This diverse assortment of items points to a well-equipped base intended for sustained terrorist activities. The seizure has dealt a severe blow to their operational preparedness.”

The official further added  that dismantling the hideout has significantly disrupted the logistical backbone of terror organizations operating in the Valley.

“By seizing  such war like stores, we’ve cut off a critical supply line, weakening their ability to orchestrate attacks and sustain their network. Such operations are pivotal in breaking further  the spine of terrorism, reducing their capacity to destabilize the valley,” he added.

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He informed that the recovered materials are now under forensic examination to trace their origins and connections, and in coming tines will reveal  further leads about the terror network involved in this.

Anantnag district has long been a focal point for counter-terrorism efforts, with its challenging terrain providing cover for terrorists activities.

Analysts view this as a strategic victory, noting that depriving terrorists of arms and operational bases erodes their morale and effectiveness.

“Each such operation dismantles a piece of their infrastructure, signaling that there’s no safe haven for terror activities,” said a defense expert.

As investigations continue, "the bust is expected to further unravel the terror ecosystem, bolstering efforts to restore lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Pertinently, one of the infamous encounter in the district unfolded in September 2023 in the Gadol forests of Kokernag, Anantnag.

Beginning on September 13, the week-long operation saw security forces engage in a fierce firefight with terrorists from the  Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate.

The encounter claimed the lives of Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat, and a soldier, while TRF commander Uzair Khan was neutralized.