Security forces recovered the decomposed remains of a suspected Pakistani JeM terrorist in Doda’s Seojdhar forest. The find highlights the continued use of Jammu’s upper reaches as militant hideouts and transit routes.
A highly decomposed body of a suspected Pakistani terrorist linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was recovered from the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district during a joint search operation on Saturday, officials said. An M4 carbine made in the US and some ammunition were found near the body.
Officials said the condition of the body suggested that the terrorist may have been injured in an encounter with security forces last year and later died of those injuries while hiding in the forest. The recovery has renewed focus on the difficult mountainous belt that has long been used by infiltrating terrorists to set up hideouts and avoid security forces.
The body was found in the remote Divshetar area of the Seojdhar forest during a joint operation by the special operations group of the local police, the Army and the CRPF. The area is densely forested and connects the Bhaderwah valley of Doda with the adjoining districts of Udhampur and Kathua.
In a post on X, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said, “You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide! SOG Doda, RR (Rashtriya Rifles) and CRPF retrieved the remains of a Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed operative, who was neutralised earlier in a joint operation. A night-enabled M4 has also been recovered.
Officials said the advanced stage of decomposition indicated that the death may have taken place much earlier, though the exact circumstances and timing were still being established. They said the recovery of the M4 carbine and ammunition suggested that the dead man was likely a top commander of the Pakistan-based outfit.