By: POONCH MIRRIOR, 8 -JANUARY
Kathua anti-terror operation:Security forces resumed a major cordon and search operation (CASO) in the dense forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Thursday morning, following a prolonged exchange of fire with suspected terrorists a day earlier. One security personnel sustained minor injuries during the engagement and has been evacuated for medical treatment.
Official sources stated that the operation was initiated on Wednesday evening in the Kahog area of the Billawar tehsil, based on specific intelligence inputs. A joint team comprising the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and other paramilitary units launched the search, which escalated into an encounter. After cordoning off the area overnight, forces intensified the search at first light on Thursday in the rugged, forested terrain of the Dhanau Parol–Kumadh Nallah region.Kathua anti-terror operation
The operation is ongoing in an area with thick foliage and challenging topography. Additional reinforcements have been called in, and aerial surveillance is being utilized to track the movement of the militants, a senior police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed that security forces have maintained continuous pressure, blocking all possible escape routes for the terrorists. He stated that the initial contact on Wednesday evening led to an exchange of fire that lasted over an hour, though no immediate confirmation on terrorist casualties could be obtained.Kathua anti-terror operation
The injured personnel was hit in the leg during the crossfire and is reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have raised alert levels in the region following intelligence reports suggesting attempts at infiltration by three separate groups. This operation is part of a broader, month-long security buildup along the International Border and adjacent areas of Samba, Kathua, and Punjab. Forces including the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police have been conducting relentless patrols and searches.
The security grid has been placed on high alert ahead of Republic Day celebrations on January 26, with the BSF, border police, and Village Defence Guards all playing enhanced roles.
Kathua district has witnessed a significant number of counter-terror engagements over the past two years. According to official data, a total of 16 individuals have been killed in such operations since 2023, including 11 security force personnel and 5 terrorists. In 2024 alone, 7 security personnel and 2 militants were neutralized, while the previous year saw the deaths of 4 personnel and 3 terrorists. Additionally, the mysterious deaths of four civilians in the area had raised local concerns about terrorist activity, though official investigations remain ongoing.Kathua anti-terror operation
Security officials have affirmed that the current operation will continue until the area is fully sanitized and any threat is neutralized. The resolve is to maintain peace and order. The operation will persist until the threat is completely eliminated, the IGP stated.
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