Srinagar, Oct 8 (NationPress) Two soldiers have gone missing amid an anti-terror operation in Kokernag, located in the Anantnag district of J&K. The Indian Army reported that an extensive search effort is currently underway, although it has been challenged by adverse weather conditions.

The soldiers lost contact with their unit during the operation in the mountainous terrain of Kokernag.

According to the Chinar Corps, "On the night of October 6/7, an operational team on the Kishtwar range faced severe snowstorms and whiteout conditions in South Kashmir's mountains. Since that time, communication with two soldiers has been lost. While intense search and rescue operations have been initiated, they are struggling due to the ongoing bad weather."

Earlier, an official indicated that a substantial search operation had commenced in the dense forested areas to find the soldiers, who might have lost touch with their team due to the harsh weather experienced over the last two days.

"It’s possible the two soldiers strayed from their group due to poor visibility and difficult terrain caused by recent snowfall," the source elaborated.

The soldiers were part of a small group engaged in a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the area on Tuesday.

Since their disappearance, attempts to re-establish communication have failed. Helicopters have been deployed to aid ground forces in the search.

"The operation to locate the two soldiers continues, with joint efforts from the army, other security forces, and local police combing the forests," the source stated.

Joint forces, including the army, security personnel, and the J&K Police, have been conducting extensive anti-terror operations targeting terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers to dismantle the entire terror ecosystem in the Union Territory.

Security agencies from both the Centre and the Union Territory are also involved in seizing properties linked to terrorists, OGWs, and sympathizers, as well as those engaged in drug trafficking.

The security forces believe that funds from drug smuggling and hawala operations ultimately support terrorism in J&K.

Local police, together with the Crime Branch, the State Investigation Agency (SIA), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), are conducting targeted operations against terror operatives involved in economic offenses.