Sighting of suspected terrorists sparks heightened vigil across Jammu region

Security forces have intensified vigilance across parts of the Jammu division after multiple sightings of suspected terrorists in forest areas over the past several days. Intelligence agencies have been put on high alert as locals reported suspicious movements in remote belts.

The first sighting was reported from Basantgarh in Udhampur district a few days ago, followed by another in Jata Brahmana in Rajouri’s Kalakote sub-division. Prior to the Jata Brahmana incident, residents in Ghambir Mughlan of Manjakote—an area close to the Line of Control (LoC)—also reported spotting suspected militants carrying backpacks.

All three incidents were reported to the police and Army, prompting search operations. However, no trace of the suspects was found.

Following a series of terror attacks on civilians and Army convoys in the Jammu region since 2022, security agencies have been working to rebuild trust and strengthen local intelligence networks, which had weakened during years of relative peace. In the recent sightings, locals reported seeing unidentified men near forest fringes. In Basantgarh, three suspected militants allegedly approached a nomad’s home asking for food, but he declined.

Intelligence agencies believe that more than 50 terrorists may currently be active in the Jammu region. The increased sightings, sources say, could be linked to heavy snowfall in higher reaches, which restricts movement and forces militants to descend toward lower hills. With Gujjar and Bakerwal communities migrating to the plains during winter, militants struggle to procure food in remote areas and may move closer to inhabited belts. Amid these developments, Lieutenant General PK Mishra, GOC of the Army’s White Knight Corps, visited forward areas in the Bhimber Gali sector on Tuesday to review operational preparedness along the LoC.

Also, Goc-in-C of Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, visited Chhatru in Kishtwar district and Basantgarh in Udhampur on December 1 to review the counter-terrorism grid and operational preparedness of the units. During his visit, the Army Commander held detailed deliberations with commanders on ground, strategising robust measures to fortify the security architecture and maintain peace in the region. Also, J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat today visited a forward area near the International Border in RS Pura sector and interacted with Village Defence Guards (VDGs).