Gunfire erupts during search op in Kathua, area cordoned off
A group of Jaish terrorists is suspected to be moving through the area
Nearly a week after an encounter in Kathua district, gunfire erupted between terrorists and security forces in the dense forest area of Billawar on Tuesday, officials and sources said.
Several rounds of gunshots were heard from the Najote forest area of Billawar as security forces were conducting a search operation to track down terrorists believed to be involved in the January 7 encounter, which took place nearly 10 km from Tuesday’s site.
According to sources, a group of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists is suspected to be moving through the area. The group is believed to have been attempting to evade security forces by continuously shifting locations within dense forest cover.
During the search operation on Tuesday, security forces observed suspicious movement and opened fire, said sources. While there was no official confirmation of injuries on either side, residents in nearby villages reported hearing multiple gunshots from inside the forest.
Security agencies are also verifying information suggesting that a key Pakistani terrorist may be part of the group operating in the region. The terrorists are believed to have infiltrated into Indian territory several months ago and initially moved to higher reaches of the Jammu division during the summer. With snowfall blocking upper reaches, the group is believed to have descended into the hilly forested areas.
Sources further said that the group may have entered a house in Udhampur district last month in search of food.
Meanwhile, the cordon-and-search operation has been intensified, with additional forces deployed to track down the militants. Security has also been heightened in the neighbouring districts of Doda, Udhampur and Samba ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
The Special Operations Group (SOG), along with the Army, is maintaining close surveillance over forest areas of the Jammu region, where several terrorists are believed to be hiding. Dense forests and natural caves in the region are said to provide safe hideouts for militants trained in jungle warfare.
