Army’s Uri operation: hunt for infiltrators continues; special forces deployed, internet shut

Security forces have been conducting an operation for over 48 hours to locate militants who infiltrated through the Line of Control in Uri and neighbouring areas on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

The infiltration in Uri coincided with the fifth anniversary of the Uri attack in which 19 soldiers were killed on September 18, 2016

Reinforcements have been sent to the area along with a small unit of Special Forces.

The army has not been able to locate the infiltrators expected for a brief encounter on Sunday during which an army jawan suffered a minor injury. Media reports suggest that a group of 6 militants came through the LoC.

Mobile, landlines and internet connectivity remain suspended in Uri after being shut down on Monday.

Lt Gen DP Pandey, who is the commanding officer of the J&K based 15 Corps, has said that while the operation is ongoing the forces have not been able to verify whether the militants are still in J&K or have gone back.

He also said that there have been some infiltration attempts in 2021 but only 2 of them, including the one of Saturday night, have been successful.