Jammu and Kashmir encounter: Firing in Kathua after terrorists spotted, search operation underway

Jammu and Kashmir: According to officials, a firing incident was reported in Kathua after some terrorists were spotted in the Ghati Juthana area of Rajbagh this morning. The J&K police said security forces have cordoned off the region. The reports believe the terrorists are considered to be the same group who got away after an encounter in Hiranagar sector of the district on Sunday evening.

What happened in Hiranagar?

In Hiranagar, on March 23, a similar case of firing was reported when security personnel were on search operation. Troops of the Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army, including J&K police had began an intelligence-based joint operation in Hiranagar, Kathua. Rising Star Corps, Indian Army said, “Based on Intelligence Input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation has been launched by @JmuKmrPolice & troops of #RisingStar Corps on 23 Mar 25 in general area Saniyal #Hiranagar. Operations in Progress.”

Search in Anantnag in connection with banned terror oufits

Jammu and Kashmir police launched searches at numerous places across the Anantnag district on Wednesday in connection with an probe on terror outfits which are banned. This followed strengthened security concerns in the area, with security forces continuously working to avert the resurgence of militant activities in the Union Territory.

Security forces, consisting of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Anantnag, CRPF and 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF, on Tuesday found a terrorist hideout and dismantled it in the remote Sanglan forest area under the Police Station Uttersoo jurisdiction.

“We received a specific input. We formed a joint team with the CRPF to neutralise the movement of a terrorist presence in Chitragul, and we went for the search operation. We have busted a terrorist hideout and recovered a lot of arms and ammunition from that hideout and an investigation is underway. From this hideout, logistics support used to be given to terrorists,” GV Sundeep, SSP Anantnag had said.

According to SSP Sandeep, In Hassanpora Bijbehara, an illegal structure was linked with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba handler Haron Rashid Ganie, who has been active from Pakistan since 2018. The Anantnag police shattered the “terrorist ecosystem”. Ganie is allegedly radicalising local youth and making them a part of terrorist activity. The J&K police are keeping a vigil on such a handler, he said.

"If anyone from Pakistan tries to orchestrate terrorist activities, then strict legal action will be taken against them. Terrorists and their facilitators have no place here. We will not tolerate illegal encroachment and terror-supporting structures. Our law enforcement agency is fully prepared and wants to send a single, clear-cut message," SSP Sandeep added.

The preliminary probe indicates that it was being used as a logistical base by terrorists. Items discovered from the hideout comprise nearly 200 empty AK cartridges, one Chinese grenade, two gas cylinders, one Night Vision Device (NVD), food packets, bedding and utensils.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)