Security forces have launched an intensive joint operation in the upper reaches of Basantgarh in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district following credible intelligence about the movement of three suspected terrorists in the region.
Massive Joint Operation Underway
A combined team comprising Army personnel, J&K Police, and CRPF forces has been deployed in the densely forested Chigla-Balotha area after receiving specific inputs about terror suspects hiding in the woods. The operation, which began on Thursday, represents one of the largest security initiatives in the region in recent weeks.
Officials confirmed that drones and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to assist ground troops in their search mission. The technological support aims to fortify the security cordon and block potential escape routes that the suspects might use to evade capture.
Strategic Location on Infiltration Route
The Basantgarh area holds significant strategic importance as it falls on a traditional infiltration route used by Pakistani terrorists. Intelligence reports indicate that terrorists typically cross the international border in Kathua and move through higher elevation areas toward Doda and Kishtwar districts in Jammu Division before eventually proceeding to Kashmir Valley.
The Kathua-Udhampur-Doda-Kishtwar belt has been historically vulnerable to terrorist activities and has witnessed multiple encounters and terror strikes in the past. Security agencies have maintained heightened vigilance in this corridor due to its geographical challenges and historical significance in cross-border infiltration patterns.
Recent Security Context in Udhampur
This operation comes just weeks after another major security incident in the same district. Last month, a massive joint cordon-and-search operation was initiated in Udhampur's Latti area following disturbing reports from local residents.
According to eyewitness accounts, a group of terror suspects had allegedly entered a house in Kirchi village on October 17, threatened the inhabitants, and fled after snatching cash. That incident prompted immediate security response, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the region.
The current operation in Basantgarh continues as security forces maintain their determined efforts to neutralize any terrorist threats and ensure the safety of local communities in the strategically sensitive Udhampur district.
