Remembering the fight against militancy, the Hill Kaka Day was celebrated in the Surankote sector here on Wednesday.

The Hill Kaka Day is celebrated to honour the soldiers and citizens who lost their lives in an anti-terrorist operation in 2023.

In 2023, the Army initiated Operation Sarvanash in collaboration with the villagers to eradicate over 100 terrorists from Hill Kaka and the surrounding regions in the Poonch border district.

Speaking about the honouring of the civilians and army personnel who lost their lives in the operation, a villager said, “The base camp of the militants was in Hill Kaka. Today, with the help of the police and civilians, the militancy has been removed from Hill Kaka. I pray and hope that Jammu and Kashmir remains safe from the militants.”

School students also recited poems and performed acts to highlight the courage shown by the civilians and the Army personnel.

Another villager said that during the presence of the terorists in the area, no one would dare to pick up a gun, however, with the courage of the civilians and the Army, it was possible.

“In 2002, when the terroists were present, no one dared to pick a gun. The civilians along with the help of the police, gathered courage and shooed away the militants from Hill Kaka. Today, we are here honouring the civilians and the soldiers who lost their lives in the operation,” said a villager.

Meanwhile on September 9, based on inputs from intelligence agencies and JK Police regarding a likely infiltration bid, an anti-infiltration Operation was launched by the troops of the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army in the general area of Lam, Nowshera. Two terrorists were neutralised and a large quantity of war like stores recovered.

The Army further said that two AK-47, one M-4 with sight, one pistol, eight grenades, assorted ammunition, personal clothing and miscellaneous war like stores were recovered from the terror operatives.