Srinagar, Oct 10: Joint teams of the Army and Police recovered the body of a second missing Army commando on Friday from the dense and rugged Gadool forests in Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The body was recovered during an intensified search operation.
The commando, part of the elite 7 Para (Special Forces) unit, had gone missing during a high-altitude anti-terror operation launched on October 6, which was disrupted by extreme weather conditions, including a suspected avalanche or snowstorm.
The body was located in the densely forested and mountainous terrain of the Gadool area, where joint teams of the Indian Army, J&K Police, and other security forces have been conducting a massive combing operation for the past four days.
This recovery follows the retrieval of another 7 Para commando’s body on Thursday, October 9, from the same forested zone.
Both soldiers had been missing since the operation began on October 6, which extended into October 7, amid deteriorating weather conditions in the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal mountain range.
They have been identified as Havildar Palash Ghosh and Lance Naik Sujay Ghosh.
The operation, launched based on credible intelligence about the presence of foreign terrorists in the area, was aimed at neutralising a potential threat ahead of the winter season, when infiltration routes along the Line of Control (LoC) typically become impassable due to heavy snowfall.
The anti-terror operation was part of a broader strategy by the Indian Army to intensify counter-terrorism efforts in south Kashmir, a region that has seen persistent terror activity in recent years.
The deployment of elite paratroopers from the 7 Para (Special Forces) unit underscores the high-stakes nature of the mission, which targeted foreign terrorists believed to be in the rugged, high-altitude terrain of Kokernag.
The Gadool forests, characterised by thick vegetation and steep slopes, are a known hideout for militants, making operations in the area particularly challenging.
On October 6, the operation was in full swing when extreme weather struck, with officials suspecting a sudden snowstorm or avalanche may have caught the commandos off guard.
The harsh conditions disrupted communication lines and delayed reinforcements, stranding the soldiers in the treacherous terrain.
Army sources confirmed that the combination of thick snow cover, unstable ground, and ongoing bad weather has significantly hampered search and rescue efforts.
Despite these challenges, joint teams have been combing the area relentlessly, using advanced equipment and specialised personnel to locate the missing soldiers.
“#IndianArmy Operation Update;Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of Bravehearts Lance Havildar Palash Ghosh and Lance Naik Sujay Ghosh, while conducting relentless counter terror operations in the Kishtwar Range of Kokernag, battling extreme weather conditions. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. Chinar Warriors salute the valour and sacrifice of the Bravehearts. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and are committed to their well-being. #IndianArmy@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA,” Chinar Corps Indian Army said in a post on microblogging site ‘X’.
“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, #ArmyCdrNC and all ranks of #NorthernCommand pay homage to the #Bravehearts Lance Havildar Palash Ghosh and Lance Naik Sujay Ghosh, who made the supreme sacrifice while performing operational duties in harsh terrain & weather conditions. #NorthernCommand stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. @adgpi @ChinarcorpsIA.”
