In a significant security development, two terror suspects were apprehended in the Cantonment Area of Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Monday. This detention occurred as multiple cordon-and-search operations continued across various regions of the Jammu division, including the challenging snowbound terrain of Kishtwar's Chatroo-Dolgam-Dichhar belt, where Operation Trashi-I has now entered its 16th consecutive day.
Expanding Security Operations Across Jammu Division
Late on Sunday, security forces launched a search operation in the Joffer area of Udhampur's Rampur sector following credible intelligence reports of suspicious movement. An official confirmed that terrorist activity was reported in the upper reaches of Udhampur, prompting simultaneous search operations in the high-altitude, forested regions of Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, and Reasi districts.
Details of the Samba District Apprehension
Around 10:30 AM on Monday, a Quick Reaction Team successfully intercepted two individuals near an old Army quarter in the railway area. An official source revealed that one person was found sleeping outside near a shaft, while the other was discovered inside the premises. Both individuals were immediately taken into custody and transferred to Bari Brahmana Police Station for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
The detained suspects have been identified as:
- Muneer Khan from Chang in Jammu district, who claimed employment at Flaxfour Company in Bari Brahmana
- Pawan Singh from Neeli village in Udhampur district
Broader Security Context and Recent Developments
This security operation follows a concerning incident on January 6, when Punjab Police detained a minor in Pathankot on charges of espionage. The juvenile was allegedly sharing confidential information through social media platforms to terror agencies, including the ISI and Pakistan military officers. This detention prompted a statewide alert regarding similar espionage activities potentially involving children.
Strategic Importance of Samba District
Due to its geographical proximity to the international border, Samba district serves as a critical gateway for terrorists attempting to reach the Kashmir Valley through the upper reaches of Samba-Udhampur-Doda-Kishtwar. This strategic location has made the district a persistent hotspot for terrorist activities, necessitating heightened security measures.
Operation Trashi-I: Progress and Challenges
Under Operation Trashi-I, security forces have engaged in four separate encounters with terrorists over the past fortnight:
- Initial contact was established in Sonnar forest near Mandral-Singhpora, Chatroo, on January 18, resulting in injuries to eight security personnel, one of whom later succumbed to injuries
- A subsequent gunfight occurred with holed-up ultras in Singhpora on January 22
- Another firefight followed on January 24, during which a Pakistani Jaish terrorist was neutralized
- A brief gun battle took place in Dolgam on January 31
Security personnel have been braving extremely challenging conditions, including inclement weather and hostile forested terrain, as they track a group of three holed-up ultras. Security agencies are simultaneously working to identify and trace terrorist sympathizers who may have provided food and shelter assistance to the militants.
Enhanced Security Measures
To strengthen the security apparatus, authorities have implemented several measures:
- Temporary suspension of all mobile internet services within a 6-kilometer radius covering Singhpora, Chingam, and Chatroo since January 30
- Deployment of additional forces to fortify the security cordon
- Utilization of sniffer dogs to assist ground troops in tracking operations
- Aerial surveillance through drones and helicopters to monitor possible escape routes
Officials confirmed that the terrorists, who have been evading capture for over two weeks, have been continuously changing their hideouts within the challenging terrain. The comprehensive security response reflects the determination to neutralize terrorist threats while maintaining public safety across the Jammu division.
