JAMMU, Jun 13: Massive search operations persisted on Thursday across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Doda and Reasi, as security forces worked to track down and neutralize terrorists involved in recent attacks in the region, officials said.
Over the past four days, terrorists have targeted four locations in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts, resulting in the deaths of nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan. The attacks have also left seven security personnel and several others injured. In an encounter with security forces in Kathua, two suspected Pakistani terrorists were killed, and a significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from them.
According to officials, the Army, police, and paramilitary forces resumed their search operations on Thursday morning in areas including Kota Top in Gandoh, Chattagalla, and adjoining regions in Doda district. These operations followed separate gunfights on Tuesday and Wednesday that injured seven security personnel, including two policemen. However, no fresh contact has been made with the fleeing terrorists so far.
On Wednesday, police released sketches of four terrorists involved in two attacks in Doda district and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their arrest. Earlier, a similar reward was offered, and a sketch was released for one of the terrorists involved in the attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district on Sunday, which resulted in nine deaths and 41 injuries.
The search operations are also ongoing in Reasi and the adjoining Rajouri district. Searches are being conducted in Nowshera in Rajouri and neighboring Poonch. Additionally, security forces have been placed on high alert in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts due to intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat.
In Kathua, a fierce gunfight that began on Tuesday night and lasted more than 15 hours resulted in the deaths of two terrorists. A CRPF jawan was also killed in the operation, and a civilian was injured.
Following these events, police issued an advisory on Wednesday urging residents of the Jammu region to remain vigilant regarding the movement of suspicious individuals and objects. This advisory was prompted by intelligence inputs indicating the possibility of a terror threat in parts of Rajouri and Jammu districts.
The intensified search operations underscore the heightened security measures being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir in response to the recent surge in terrorist activities. Authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of the region’s residents while actively pursuing those responsible for these violent attacks.
