Search Operation Resumes in Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir
In a bid to track down terrorists hiding in a forest in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, security forces have resumed a search operation on Thursday morning. The operation, which saw one security person sustaining a minor injury, is being jointly conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J-K Police and other security forces.
The search operation was initiated at Kahog village in Billawar on Wednesday evening, leading to an encounter with the terrorists, officials confirmed.
A senior security official stated, “The search operation to track down the hiding terrorists has been resumed after a night-long cordon. The searches are focusing on the Dhanu Parole-Kamadh nallah area, with additional forces and aerial surveillance being deployed to locate the terrorists hiding in the dense forest.”
IGP Bhim Sen Tuti of Jammu Zone mentioned in a post on X that despite challenges like darkness, thick vegetation, and treacherous terrain, the SOG and CRPF teams are actively engaging with the terrorists in the forest area.
The gunfight erupted at Kahog village following intelligence about the presence of two to three terrorists in the vicinity. During the exchange of fire, a security person sustained a minor injury and has been hospitalized for treatment.
Reports suggest the firing lasted for over an hour before ceasing, with no immediate information on any casualties among the terrorists. Additionally, there are indications of three groups of infiltrating terrorists in the region.
Security forces, including the Army, BSF, police, and CRPF, have been conducting extensive search operations, identifying border dwellers, and increasing patrols along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts as well as adjacent areas of Punjab for the past month.
With Republic Day approaching on January 26, a multi-tier security grid involving the BSF, border police, and Village Defence Guards (VDGs) has been placed on high alert in Kathua district.
The Kathua district has witnessed several encounters between security forces and terrorists in recent years, resulting in casualties on both sides. The officials reported that 16 individuals, including security personnel and terrorists, lost their lives in these encounters over the past two years.
It is essential to note the vigilance and proactive measures taken by the security forces to combat terrorist activities in the region and safeguard the lives of civilians and security personnel.
