Tragic End to Search for Abducted Soldier in Anantnag

The body of a missing territorial army soldier, Hilal Ahmad Bhath, was found with bullet wounds in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces launched a joint counter-terrorist operation after his abduction. Despite efforts, Bhath's body was recovered; one abducted soldier managed to escape.

The body of Hilal Ahmad Bhath, a territorial army soldier, was tragically discovered bore bullet wounds in a forest within Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, marking the end of a distressing search mission. Security forces had been actively searching for Bhath, missing since Tuesday following his reported abduction by terrorists, sources revealed.

A coordinated counter-terrorism operation spearheaded by the Indian Army, collaborated with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies, commenced on Wednesday in the Kazwan Forest of Kokernag, reaching a critical point on October 8. Teams mobilized to locate the missing jawan, with recent sources indicating another soldier was also abducted but managed to flee.

Authorities confirmed the terrifying ordeal where two territorial army soldiers were seized in Anantnag's forested areas. Immediate actions led to the escape of one, while relentless efforts to find Bhath culminated in the grim discovery. Previously, another operation on October 5 resulted in the killing of two terrorists and significant recoveries in Kupwara, reflecting the heightened regional security efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)