{ COUNTERTERROR STRATEGY REWORKED } Army intensifies winter ops in Jammu

The army has reworked its winter counterterror strategy in the Jammu region, with the new approach focusing on intensifying operations in the snow-clad higher reaches to tighten the noose around terrorists who may have found safe haven there, instead of the traditional practice of cutting down on operational activities in the coldest phase of winter, or 'chillai kalan' in Kashmiri, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday.

- HT Correspondent

The mountainous districts of Kishtwar and Doda in the Jammu region, where around 35 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be hiding in mountain forests, is where the new counterterror strategy is unfolding, the officials said, asking not to be named.

To be sure, 'chillai kalan', from December 21 to January 31, brings about a temporary lull in terrorist activities as communication routes shut down and heavy snowfall isolates the mountainous regions.