Srinagar, Aug. 12 -- The 11-day-long anti-militancy operation in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir was called off today after security forces failed to establish any contact with militants for the past 48 hours.
Security officials said there had been no exchange of fire since Saturday morning in Akhal forest, and it was suspected that the hiding terrorists may have slipped away, taking advantage of the thick foliage and deep ravines in the area.
" The operation has been closed," a security official said.
The joint operation was launched on August 1 following credible intelligence about the presence of a large group of militants in the dense forest belt. In the initial exchange of fire, one militant, believed to be a local, was killed....