Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a fresh search operation in the Kathua district following a violent encounter with terrorists that left five security personnel wounded. The incident has intensified counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Details of the Kathua Encounter
The confrontation occurred in the remote and forested area of Saida Sukhal village within the Hiranagar sector. According to official reports, a joint team comprising police and paramilitary personnel was conducting a search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about terrorist presence. During this operation, the team came under fire from hidden terrorists.
The exchange of gunfire resulted in injuries to five security force members. The injured personnel were promptly evacuated from the scene and received immediate medical attention. Their condition is reported to be stable. The security cordon was tightened following the initial contact to prevent the terrorists from escaping the area.
Intensified Search and Security Response
After the initial engagement and the evacuation of the wounded, the security forces temporarily paused the offensive search. However, operations resumed on Wednesday morning with reinforced teams. The area, known for its dense foliage and challenging terrain, is being thoroughly combed to locate and neutralize the terrorist group.
Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the identity or the number of terrorists involved in the firing. The focus remains on securing the region and apprehending the perpetrators. Additional forces have been deployed, and the entire sector remains on high alert.
Context and Regional Security
This incident in Kathua is part of a concerning pattern of terrorist activities in the Jammu region in recent months. Security experts point to attempts by terror outfits to destabilize the relatively peaceful areas. The Hiranagar sector near the International Border has been a focal point for such infiltration and attack attempts in the past.
Local administration has advised residents in adjacent villages to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces. The operation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by security agencies in combating terrorism in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The determination of the security forces to resume operations highlights their commitment to rooting out terrorism from the region. The coming hours are critical as the search intensifies in the difficult terrain of Saida Sukhal.
