Stop peddling ambush hypothesis in media: Kashmir police chief to retired officers

Srinagar: Amid the ongoing encounter to eliminate terrorists in the forest area on a hilly terrain in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, Additional Director General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar advised retired police and Army officers to avoid peddling ambush hypothesis in the media.

In a post on X, Kumar said, "Retired police/Army officers should avoid 'ambush hypothesis'. It is a specific input-based ops. Ops is in progress and all 2-3 trapped terrorists will be neutralised."

Kumar said the operation was launched based on specific input and is currently underway and assured that the two-three trapped terrorists will be neutralised.

#KokernagEncounterUpdate: Rtd Police/Army officers should avoid “ Ambush Hypothesis”. It is a specific input based ops. Ops is in progress and all 2-3 trapped terrorists will be neutralised: ADGP Kashmir

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) September 15, 2023

As the gunfight entered its third day, security forces fired mortar shells towards the forest area on the mountainous terrain. Drones were pressed into service for aerial surveillance.

"The forces fired mortar shells on the terrain where they believe the terrorists are hiding based on drone surveillance," the officials said.

The security forces have maintained a tight cordon in the area, they added.

Major Ashish Dhonchak, 19 Rashtriya Rifles Commanding Officer Col Manpreet Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat and a soldier were killed in an encounter with the terrorists at Gadole in the Kokernag area of the south Kashmir district on Wednesday.