Kathua, Mar 26 (KNO): Several suspects with criminal history were detained at Hiranagar in Kathua district for questioning while a major counter-terrorism operation entered its fourth day on Wednesday.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the anti-terror operation was launched on the evening of March 23 after the security forces established contact with the hiding terrorists.
The operation, according to the officials, involves a coordinated effort by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army (Rising Star Corps), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), National Security Guard (NSG), and the Special Operations Group (SOG).
“The operation aims to neutralize a group of infiltrating terrorists believed to have crossed into this side from the International Border,” they said.
The operation commenced following reports from local villagers, including Anita Devi and her husband Ganesh Kumar, who encountered five to six heavily armed terrorists while collecting firewood in the Sanyal village nursery area, approximately five kilometers from the International Border.
The terrorists briefly took Ganesh Kumar hostage before fleeing into the dense forest upon spotting security forces.
Based on this intelligence, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was initiated on March 23 evening, triggering an encounter when the terrorists opened fire on approaching security personnel.
The joint forces have intensified their efforts, particularly along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in the Samba-Kathua section, with heightened surveillance on border roads, officials said.
The combing operation spans multiple areas, stretching from Sanyal to Ding Amb and beyond, covering several kilometers of challenging terrain.
Equipped with advanced surveillance technology, the forces are utilizing helicopters, UAVs, drones, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs to aid in their efforts.
As part of the intensified operation, security agencies have questioned several individuals in different locations and have taken three suspects into custody, sources said.
Pertinently, Kathua has emerged as a significant infiltration route for Pakistan-based terrorists targeting the higher reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Kashmir.
The use of sophisticated weaponry, such as M4 rifles and grenades, underscores the escalating threat level.
The operation follows a pattern of increased terrorist activity in the Jammu region, with 44 fatalities (including 18 security personnel and 13 terrorists) reported across six districts in 2024 alone.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Kathua) Shobit Saxena said, “We are utilizing all available resources, including aerial surveillance, to track down the suspects. The operation is ongoing, and we are committed to ensuring the safety of the region.”
The Rising Star Corps confirmed the recovery of warlike stores on March 23 via social media, noting that operations remain in progress.
Timeline:
March 23: The operation began with an exchange of gunfire lasting over 30 minutes. A seven-year-old girl sustained minor injuries from a stray bullet and was promptly hospitalized. Her condition is reported as stable. Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, accompanied by Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti, arrived at the site to oversee operations, with DGP Prabhat personally leading from the front, armed with an AK-47 rifle.
March 24: The search intensified with the deployment of additional forces, including commandos, sniffer dogs, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Ammunition, including loaded M4 carbine magazines, grenades, eatables, and clothing, was recovered from the site, indicating the terrorists’ preparedness. Sporadic gunfire was reported as forces closed in on the suspected hideout.
March 25: The operation continued with aerial surveillance via army helicopters. Security forces expanded the cordon to prevent escape, while villagers set up a community kitchen to support personnel and media. A local woman, Darshana Devi, reported two men in army uniforms requesting water in the Ding Amb area, prompting further area lockdowns.
March 26: Now in its fourth day, the multi-tier combing operation spans several kilometers from Sanyal to Ding Amb and beyond. Security has been heightened along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and border roads. No additional casualties have been reported, and the terrorists remain at large, believed to be trapped within the cordoned-off zone—(KNO)