A fierce gunfight erupted between security forces and terrorists in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday after four days of extensive search operations in the region. The encounter, which is ongoing, has heightened security concerns in the border area.
Gunfight Resumes After Massive Search Operations
According to officials, contact was re-established with the militants in the forested area of Sufain under the jurisdiction of Police Station Rajbagh in Kathua. Security forces had launched a search operation in the early hours, and initial reports confirm that the firing is still underway.
The operation initially began in the Sanyal village of Hiranagar Tehsil and later expanded to other adjoining areas as terrorists failed to respond to speculative firing by security forces after the initial exchange of gunfire on Sunday.
Security Forces Intensify Efforts
A local woman reported seeing two men in Army uniforms asking for water while they were having food in the area. Following this tip-off, security forces cordoned off the area and ramped up surveillance. The Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in the Samba-Kathua section saw increased security presence, with special attention given to border roads.
Security forces, including the Army, NSG, BSF, police, Special Operation Group, and CRPF, have deployed advanced surveillance equipment, helicopters, UAVs, drones, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs to track the terrorists. Several individuals have been questioned, and three suspects were taken into custody for further interrogation.
Cache of Weapons Recovered
During Tuesday’s search operation, security forces recovered two grenades and a large cache of ammunition. Among the recovered items were tracksuits identical to those worn by the four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists who were killed in encounters in Assar forests and Doda last year.
Community Support and Security Measures
Local villagers have actively joined the security forces in the operation, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement. Several village heads have appealed to the public to assist security personnel in identifying potential threats.
Operation Launched After Militant Attack
The current operation, led by the Director General of J&K Police, Nalin Prabhat, was launched on Sunday evening in the Hiranagar sector following an encounter between security forces and militants hiding in a local nursery. Acting on intelligence, the Special Operations Group (SOG) initiated the operation after reports of terrorists hiding inside a ‘dhok’ (local enclosure) in Sanyal village, approximately five kilometers from the International Border with Pakistan.
The initial gunfight lasted over half an hour, prompting reinforcements to be dispatched immediately. Security forces believe the terrorists infiltrated on Saturday, using a ravine route or a newly constructed tunnel.
Previous Militant Activities in Kathua
In recent months, terrorist activities have spread to areas in Jammu that were previously considered free of militancy. Earlier this year, three civilians—Darshan Singh, 40, Yogesh Singh, 32, and Varun Singh, 14—went missing on March 5 while returning from a wedding in Marhoon village. Their bodies were discovered three days later near a waterfall following an extensive search operation involving drones and sniffer dogs. Union Minister Jitendra Singh condemned the killings, calling them “extremely sad and a matter of great concern.”
Following the incident, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan visited Jammu on March 9 for a high-level security meeting regarding the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and the security situation along the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
Terrorist Tactics and Growing Threats
Security analysts have noted a growing trend in terrorist activities across the Pir Panjal region, which divides Kashmir Valley from Jammu. Many believe that anti-terror operations in Kashmir have forced militants into the mountains, where they await opportunities to launch attacks against security forces.
Sources also indicate that the increasing use of sophisticated weaponry, including M4 assault rifles, grenades, and armor-piercing bullets, suggests a significant escalation in terrorist capabilities.
The ongoing encounter in Kathua remains a high-priority operation, with security forces determined to neutralize the militants and prevent further escalation in the region. More updates are expected as the situation develops.
Sources By Agencies
