Gulmarg: Security forces on Friday pressed drones and helicopters into service as a massive search operation was launched along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gulmarg sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The combing and search operation was launched along the LoC and the area near the attack site in the morning. The area of the search operation was widened later towards the hinterland as well, the officials said.
The officials said helicopters and drones were pressed into the service to help the forces, who are also using human and technical intelligence inputs to aid the search operation which has been launched to trace and neutralise the militants behind the attack.
The militants opened fire on the Army vehicle in the Bota Pathri area when it was headed for the Nagin post in Affarwat range.
The death toll has risen to five, as another army personnel, who was being operated in the hospital, has succumbed to his injuries, an official said
Pertinently, four people including two porters and two army personnel were killed in the attack following which forces intensified search operations in the area to nab the attackers.
Additionally, naka checking has also been intensified in Tangmarg, the gateway to the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg.
The area is completely dominated by the Army and there were reports recently that a militant group had infiltrated during early summer and taken shelter in the higher reaches of the Afrawat range, they said.
The Bota Pathri area was recently opened to tourists.
The prestigious High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), where army personnel are equipped with special training before their deployment in Siachen Glacier, is just a few km from the site of the attack.
