Jammu: Several suspects with criminal history were detained at Hiranagar in Kathua district for questioning while a major counter-militancy operation entered its fourth day on Wednesday.
Reports said the anti-militancy operation was launched on the evening of March 23 after the security forces established contact with the hiding militants.
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 militants 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 militants while collecting firewood in the Sanyal village nursery area, approximately five kilometers from the International Border.
The militants 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 militants 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 militants 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 militant activity in the Jammu region, with 44 fatalities (including 18 security personnel and 13 militants) 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.
