Intensified Security Operations Against Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
Heightened Security Measures in Jammu and Kashmir
The fight against terrorism and its associated networks in Jammu and Kashmir is reaching a critical juncture. Security forces, including the army, police, and paramilitary units, have ramped up their coordinated efforts across various terrains, from the remote forests of Kathua district to urban areas in the Kashmir Valley and the wooded regions of Rajouri. These operations clearly indicate that security agencies are on high alert to thwart any potential terrorist plots ahead of Republic Day.
Ongoing Search Operations in Kathua
This morning, the search for terrorists resumed in Kathua district. According to officials, a joint search operation was initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) and other security forces in the Kaho village of the Billawar area on Wednesday evening. During this operation, an encounter occurred with terrorists hiding in the forest. Following an overnight blockade, the search was restarted early today in the Dhanu Parol-Kamadh Nala region.
Challenges Faced by Security Forces
A senior security official noted that despite the dense forest, rugged terrain, and limited visibility, the forces have maintained their positions. Additional troops have been deployed to capture the terrorists, and aerial surveillance is also being conducted. The Inspector General of Police for Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, shared on social media that the SOG is actively engaging with terrorists, and CRPF teams are playing a significant role in this joint operation.
Details of the Ongoing Encounter
The encounter that began on Wednesday evening involved over an hour of gunfire between both sides. Reports indicate that one security personnel sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and has been hospitalized for treatment. It remains unclear whether any terrorists were injured during the encounter. Officials stated that the operation was based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of two to three terrorists in the area, along with reports of three separate groups of infiltrating terrorists.
Crackdown on Terrorism's Digital and Financial Networks
Meanwhile, efforts to dismantle the digital and financial networks supporting terrorism in the Kashmir Valley have intensified. The Jammu and Kashmir Police's Counter Intelligence Wing (CIK) conducted raids at 22 locations across the valley on Wednesday, including 15 sites in Srinagar. This action targeted fake online accounts believed to facilitate cyber fraud and terrorist financing. Authorities believe that terrorism is no longer confined to physical weapons but is also being supported through digital means.
Foiling a Major Plot in Rajouri
In Rajouri district, a significant plot was thwarted in time. During a joint operation by the army and police in the Kallar forest of the Dori Mal area in Thana Mandi tehsil, a suspicious IED was discovered. Based on intelligence, this operation led to the safe detonation of an explosive device weighing approximately four kilograms. Empty cartridges were also recovered from the site for forensic examination. Officials reported that the area has been thoroughly cleared, but searches and patrols continue due to potential threats.
Continued Vigilance Ahead of Republic Day
For the past month, the army, BSF, police, and CRPF have been conducting search operations in border areas. Patrols have been intensified along the international border in Samba and Kathua districts, as well as in regions adjacent to Punjab. Ahead of Republic Day, a multi-layered security apparatus, including village defense guards, has been put on high alert. Overall, the encounter in Kathua, the raids on cyber networks in the Kashmir Valley, and the recovery of the IED in Rajouri illustrate that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is being waged on ground, digital, and intelligence levels simultaneously. Security agencies appear fully prepared to tackle any challenges.