The Army has intensified search operations in Manigah area of Kupwara where Colonel Santosh Mahadik lost his life while battling with terrorists who were holed up in the area.
The search operations have also been launched in adjoining Kalaroos, Hyhama and Trumnard villages. According to sources, commandos are being air-dropped in the forest to zero in on the terrorists hiding in the area.
Army helicopters are hovering from Tuesday night to track down the three terrorists who gave slip to forces after inflicting casualties three times in the past week.
Meanwhile, last rites of were performed in Satara district of Maharashtra on Thursday. Colonel Santosh Mahadik was martyred while serving as the Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles. Along with others, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar paid tribute to the 38-year-old officer who was killed while battling terrorists near Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
Mahadik was critically injured during an operation in the Haji Naka forest area of Kupwara near the LoC along Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, officials said.
Mahadik, who hailed from Maharashtra and was commissioned in the Army in 1998, originally joined the Special Forces, and had received Sena Medal for exhibiting gallantry and leadership in counter-terrorist operations, Defence spokesman said.
The operation to track down the terrorists was continuing when last reports were received, the officials said.
A party of Army and police had come under fire while conducting searches as part of an operation started on November 13. The operation was aimed at flushing out terrorists hiding in the forest area on basis of specific information.
Colonel Mahadik leaves behind wife and two children, aged 11 and five years, the defence spokesman said, adding that the Army was committed to providing all support to the family in the hour of grief.
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