Jammu, March 27
After massive searches during the last four days, firing exchanges started again on Thursday between the joint forces and the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district.
Officials said, “Contact has been re-established with militants in the forest area of Sufain under Police Station Rajbagh in Kathua. Security forces launched a search operation in the area during the early hours. According to initial reports, firing is still ongoing.”
Massive searches, initially started in the Sanyal village of Hiranagar Tehsil, were spread to other adjoining areas as the terrorists had not responded to any speculative firing by the security forces after the initial exchange of gunfire on Sunday.
A local woman informed the police on Tuesday that two men in Army uniform asked her for water while they were having food in the area.
This prompted the area to be cordoned off. Security was tightened along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in the Samba-Kathua section, with increased vigilance on border roads, officials said.
The search operation was carried out in multiple areas from Sanyal to Ding Amb and beyond, covering several kilometers.
The operation involving the Army, NSG, BSF, police, Special Operation Group, and CRPF, armed with technical and surveillance equipment, is supported by helicopter, UAVs, drones, bulletproof vehicles, and sniffer dogs.
Security agencies have questioned several persons in various areas and picked up three suspects for questioning, officials said.