An operational team of soldiers confronted a severe snowstorm and white-out conditions in the mountains of south Kashmir on the intervening night of October 6-7, a spokesperson of the Indian Army said. File image for representational purposes
| Photo Credit: NISSAR AHMAD
Two Army personnel have gone missing in an anti-terror operation launched on October 6-7 in the Chenab Valley’s Kishtwar-Kokernag range, the Indian Army said on Wednesday. The missing soldiers belong to the Army’s elite Para Commando unit, official sources said.
An operational team of soldiers confronted a severe snowstorm and white-out conditions in the mountains of south Kashmir on the intervening night of October 6-7, a spokesperson of the Indian Army said.
“Since then, two soldiers have gone out of communication. Intense search and rescue operations have been launched but [the effort is] hampered due to prevailing adverse weather conditions,” the Army spokesperson said.
The operation to trace the missing soldiers is underway on both flanks of the mountains, from the Kishtwar side in the Jammu division and the Kokernag side in the Kashmir division, officials said.
The mountain ranges of south Kashmir have received six to eight inches of snowfall in the past three days.
Officials said the security forces were looking into all angles, and have launched several operations from multiple points in the tough terrain and dense forests of Kokernag and Kishtwar. “However, no contact had been established till Wednesday evening,” officials said.
The growing presence of terrorists in the upper reaches of mountain ranges in the past two years have forced the security forces to carry out patrols in tough terrains in Kashmir, the Chenab Valley, and the Pir Panjal Valley.
In 2024, official data suggested 18 security personnel and 13 militants were killed in the Jammu division in approximately 30 contact, ambush, or anti-militancy operations. Jammu division’s Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, and Kishtwar districts saw heightened militancy in the upper reaches. Around 13 militants were killed in 2024.
Exchange of fire
Meanwhile, in the Pir Panjal Valley, a police spokesperson said an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and the J&K Police’s Special Operations Group in the Beeranthub area of Kandi in Rajouri on Wednesday.
“Joint parties of police, Army and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) have rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area,” the police said.
The police have not confirmed any terrorist casualties in the gunfire. “The operation continues in the area,” officials said.
Published – October 08, 2025 10:37 pm IST
