Kathua, 26 March – A large search operation to find a group of terrorists has been going on for four days in the forested areas of Kathua district. The operation started after a local woman reported seeing two men in army uniforms asking her for water while they were eating in the Ding Amb area. This led the police to cordon off the area and begin searching.
The woman, Darshana Devi, said, “They took water and headed towards the nearby forest area.” In response, security has been increased along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, especially in the Samba-Kathua section, with more attention on border roads.
The search is taking place in several areas from Sanyal to Ding Amb, covering many kilometers. It involves the army, National Security Guard (NSG), Border Security Force (BSF), police, Special Operations Group (SOG), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). These teams are using helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs to assist in their search.
During the operation, security forces have questioned several people and have taken three suspects in for questioning. On Tuesday, they found two grenades, which raised concerns about the threat from the infiltrators. They also discovered tracksuits that matched those worn by four terrorists from the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group who were killed in previous encounters.
Local residents have joined the security forces in their efforts and are encouraging others to stay alert and report any suspicious activity. Villagers are asking the community to share any information about possible terrorist movements.
The operation, led by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, began on Sunday evening after an encounter between security forces and terrorists hiding in a nursery. The police started the search after receiving tips about terrorists hiding in a local enclosure in Sanyal village, which is about five kilometers from the border with Pakistan.
The terrorists fired at the police, leading to a gunfight that lasted over half an hour. Reinforcements were quickly sent in, and a manhunt was launched to catch the terrorists, who are believed to have crossed the border through a ravine or a new tunnel.
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the initial gunfire, and the area remained secure overnight. Security forces continued their search at dawn. Although there have been no further encounters, search teams found four loaded magazines for an M4 carbine, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, and food packets during their search.
As the operation continues, security forces are dedicated to keeping the area safe, and local communities are encouraged to stay vigilant and work with law enforcement.
