NSG, Drones Deployed as Search for Infiltrating Terrorists Intensifies • Terrorist Hideout Busted; Arms, Bulletproof Jacket Seized • Army Recovers Arms, Ammunition, Narcotics & War-Like Stores in Poonch
Kathua Encounter: Massive Search Operation Launched, NSG and Drones Deployed
Kathua/Poonch, March 25: Security forces have intensified search operations in Kathua district following a fierce gunfight with terrorists in the Hiranagar sector, leading to the discovery of a hideout and the recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives.
The operation, which began on Sunday evening in Sanyal village, near the International Border (IB) with Pakistan, continued through Monday with the deployment of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, drones, and sniffer dogs to track down the infiltrating terrorists.
Gunfight Erupts Near IB, Terrorists Escape
According to officials, police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists inside a dhok (hut) in a forest nursery. When security forces moved in, the terrorists opened fire, triggering a gunfight that lasted over 30 minutes.
Despite heavy exchange of fire, no casualties were reported. The terrorists, however, managed to escape under the cover of darkness. A tight security cordon remains in place, with a helicopter assisting in aerial surveillance.
Cache of Arms, IEDs, and Bulletproof Jacket Seized
During the operation, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and equipment abandoned by the fleeing terrorists, including:
- 4 M-4 carbine magazines
- 4 IED packs
- A bulletproof jacket
- Shoes, a sleeping bag, and a tracksuit
DGP, Top Officials Supervise Operation
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat personally supervised the search operation. Intelligence inputs suggest that at least two groups of five terrorists each infiltrated the area on Saturday, prompting a heightened security response.
Army Busts Terrorist Hideout in Poonch, Seizes Narcotics & Weapons
In a separate counter-terrorism operation, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) busted a terrorist hideout in Poonch’s Surankote area, recovering a large cache of arms, ammunition, and narcotics.
According to Lt. Col. Suneel Bartwal, the spokesperson for the Army, the recovery included:
- Assault rifles
- Grenades
- A significant quantity of ammunition
- Narcotics linked to cross-border smuggling
Officials believe the seized weapons and drugs were intended to support insurgent activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Security Forces Remain on High Alert
Both operations underscore the growing infiltration attempts and cross-border smuggling networks. Security forces remain on high alert, with additional reinforcements deployed to neutralize any terrorist threats. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the recovered weapons and explosives.
The search operation in Kathua continues as authorities remain determined to track down the infiltrators and prevent any future security breaches in the border districts.
