In Jammu and Kashmir, a massive search operation to track down a group of infiltrating terrorists continued for the third day in a forested area in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district today. The operation, led by DGP, Nalin Prabhat, was launched on Sunday evening in the Saryal village of Hiranagar sector following an encounter between security forces and terrorists hiding in a nursery.
Akashvani Jammu Correspondent reports that an army helicopter was seen hovering over the area as the joint troops of the army, including commandos equipped with heavy weapons, sniffer dogs, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles continued the search for the terrorists believed to be trapped in the area.
The operation was launched by a Special Operations Group of police after they got intelligence about the presence of terrorists inside a ‘Dhok’- a local term for an enclosure in a nursery in Sanyal village, approximately five km from the International Border with Pakistan.
The hiding terrorists launched a barrage of fire at the police, leading to an intense gunfight that lasted for more than half an hour. Reinforcements were swiftly dispatched, as a manhunt was launched to apprehend the terrorists, believed to have infiltrated on Saturday via either the ravine route or through a newly created tunnel. The local villagers, meanwhile, organized a community kitchen for the security personnel and the media persons at the outer cordon.
As security forces advanced further into the cordoned-off area on Tuesday morning, a burst of gunfire was heard. Officials clarified that this was speculative firing by the troops after spotting suspicious movement in the area. An army helicopter hovered above as joint troops, including commandos armed with heavy weapons, sniffer dogs, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles, continued the search for the terrorists believed to be trapped
The operation began after intelligence suggested the presence of terrorists inside a “dhok,” a local term for an enclosure, in a nursery in Sanyal village, approximately five kilometers from the International Border with Pakistan. The terrorists opened fire on the police party, leading to an intense gunfight that lasted over half an hour. Reinforcements were quickly dispatched to help apprehend the terrorists, who are suspected to have infiltrated the area on Saturday via a ravine route or a newly created tunnel.
While there have been no reported casualties from the initial gunfire, the area was kept under tight security throughout the night. On Monday, search parties found significant items, including four loaded magazines for M4 carbines, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, sleeping bags, tracksuits, and food packets. These items are being analyzed by the bomb disposal squad.
Police officials, including the Director General and Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti, have been on the ground, actively participating in the operation and overseeing the efforts to flush out the terrorists. One report suggested that two groups of five terrorists each infiltrated the region on Saturday.
Locals have also supported the security forces, with village women organizing a community kitchen for the security personnel and media at the outer cordon. In one incident, a seven-year-old girl was injured by a stray bullet and was taken to a local hospital. In another instance, Anita Devi, a 48-year-old villager, described how heavily armed terrorists had captured her husband when they were collecting firewood in the nursery. However, she managed to escape after raising an alarm, drawing attention from others in the area.