Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have significantly expanded a major search operation aimed at tracking down terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forest areas of Majalta and its adjoining regions in Udhampur district. The operation entered a critical phase on Monday, marking its second consecutive day.
Operation Launched After Terrorists Sought Food
The large-scale cordon and search operation was initiated after two unidentified terrorists were reported to have forcibly taken food from a local house in the area. After this incident, the individuals swiftly escaped into the nearby thick forest cover of Majalta, prompting the immediate launch of the security sweep.
Officials stated that the search is being conducted with heightened intensity and advanced resources. Sniffer dogs and aerial surveillance via drones are being extensively used to comb the challenging terrain and locate the hidden terrorists.
Recent Violence in the Same Area
This operation follows a recent tragic encounter in the same vicinity. Officials confirmed that a constable from the Jammu and Kashmir Police's elite Special Operations Group (SOG), Amjad Ali Khan, was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in Soan village on December 15. The proximity of this earlier incident has added urgency to the ongoing search, as forces work to neutralize the threat in the region.
Intensified Efforts on the Ground
The security forces have tightened the cordon around the forest belt. The use of technology, particularly drones, provides a significant advantage in monitoring movement and mapping the area from above, while ground teams with canine units search the undergrowth. The operation underscores the continued challenges and proactive measures taken by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to maintain stability and counter terrorist activities in remote areas.
Authorities remain on high alert, and the search is ongoing. Local residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the security forces immediately.
