The Army used heavy weaponry, including mortar guns to eliminate the terrorist who had killed a commanding officer and injured a lieutenant colonel during the stand-off.
With a breakthrough after 15 days of toil, the Army's anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Manigah village in Kupwara district has proved to be one of its most difficult encounters in the state.
While one of the terrorists involved in fierce gun-battle with the troops was killed today, at least two to three terrorists are still believed to be holed up in the area.
The Army used heavy weaponry, including mortar guns to eliminate the terrorist who had killed a commanding officer and injured a lieutenant colonel during the stand-off.
"The operation was intensified after a lieutenant colonel was injured during an encounter yesterday," said Ajaz Ahmad, a senior police officer in Kupwara.
The operation began after the Army intercepted a group of terrorists two weeks ago. Three battalions of the Army and police were involved in the operation but eliminating terrorists holed up in the forest and inhospitable terrain was not an easy task. What followed was one of the toughest and longest anti-terror operations launched by the Army in recent times, officers said.
"Para-troopers are involved in this operation and army used mortar and heavy weaponry to eliminate militants," said Kamran Ali, an ex-serviceman.
Last Wednesday the Army lost a senior officer, Colonel Santosh Mahadik while fighting terrorists. The para commando Colonel Mahadik was leading from the front when he was attacked by cornered terrorists.
On Sunday Lieutenant Colonel S K Natt was critically injured and six other soldiers were also wounded during the operations. Locals say intense firing continued for the past several days and the operation may go on since there are reports about the presence of more terrorists in the area.
"This operation is unlikely to be over vet soon. Intense firing was going on in the area," said Jaffar Ahmad, a local resident.