2 Army commandos go missing in South Kashmir forest

**2 Army Commandos Go Missing in South Kashmir Forest**

*By Chanshimla Varah | Oct 08, 2025 | 04:22 PM*

Two elite commandos from the Indian Army’s 5 PARA unit have gone missing in the Gadole forest area of Kokernag, South Kashmir. The incident occurred during a combing operation in the dense forest on October 6.

### Search Operation Underway

A massive search operation has been launched by joint security forces, including multiple units of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, to locate the missing personnel. The Gadole forest is known for its challenging terrain, featuring deep gorges and steep slopes, which complicates search efforts.

### Terrain and Weather Challenges

The area has historically been a hotspot for militant activity, with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba having established bases there in the past. Adding to the difficulty, the region experienced heavy snowfall on Monday evening, further hindering the ongoing search operations.

### Immediate Terror Involvement Ruled Out

In 2023, the same forest witnessed a deadly encounter that resulted in the deaths of several security personnel, including Army Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Donchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Muzamil.

While official details remain limited, sources involved in the operation have ruled out any immediate terror involvement in the current disappearance. According to reports, large contingents of the Army are meticulously combing every inch of this dense forest in the efforts to trace the missing commandos.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with search and rescue operations ongoing amid challenging conditions. Further updates are expected as the operation progresses.
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