Jammu: Firing resumed between security forces and militants in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday after four days of intense searches. Officials confirmed that contact was re-established with the militants in the forest area of Sufain, under the Rajbagh Police Station. A search operation was launched early in the morning, and initial reports indicated that the gunfire was ongoing.
The operation, which started in Sanyal village in Hiranagar Tehsil, expanded to surrounding areas as the militants had not responded to initial firing by security forces following a gun battle on Sunday. On Tuesday, a local woman reported that two men in Army uniforms had asked her for water while they were eating in the area, prompting the authorities to cordon off the area and tighten security along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in the Samba-Kathua section.
The search operation, involving the Army, NSG, BSF, police, CRPF, and Special Operations Group (SOG), has been supported by helicopters, drones, sniffer dogs, and other surveillance equipment. Several people have been questioned, and three suspects have been detained for further investigation. During the operation, security forces discovered two grenades and tracksuits similar to those worn by Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants killed in previous encounters last year.
Local residents have joined the operation, urging others to report any suspicious activity. Village heads have encouraged people to provide information about any terrorist movements in their areas.
The operation, led by J&K Police Chief Nalin Prabhat, began on Sunday evening after an encounter between security forces and militants hiding in a nursery. The militants opened fire on the police, leading to a gunfight that lasted over 30 minutes. While no casualties were reported in the initial exchange, a manhunt for the infiltrators began, with reinforcements quickly deployed.
Earlier searches found ammunition, grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, and food packets. The militants are believed to have infiltrated the area via a ravine route or a tunnel. Kathua, located near the International Border, has seen increased terrorist activities in recent years, with the region witnessing an escalation in violence as highly trained militants use sophisticated weapons, including M4 carbines, grenades, and armor-piercing bullets.
The killing of three civilians in the Bani area of Kathua earlier this month has heightened concerns about terrorism in the region. The bodies of the victims were discovered following an extensive search. Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed his concern about the brutal killings, and a high-level security meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan was held to discuss the situation and ensure the safety of upcoming events, including the Amarnath Yatra.
While terrorist activities were once limited to Poonch and Rajouri, they have now spread to other parts of Jammu, including areas like Udhampur and Kathua, which were once considered relatively safe. The use of advanced weaponry by militants signals a significant rise in the threat level in the region.
