New Delhi: A major anti-terror operation is underway across Jammu, nearly at three dozen locations. The sweeping crackdown, coupled with a high-level security summit, follows a fresh landmine incident and heightened concerns regarding suspicious activities. Security forces launched simultaneous operations in response to intelligence reports and as a proactive area domination exercise, officials aware of the situation said.
The operation’s scope is extensive, spanning the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, the higher elevations of Udhampur-Kathua, the mountainous regions of Doda and Kishtwar and areas near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu district, an official said.
The immediate trigger was the sighting of two suspected foreign terrorists late Friday night in the Sangiote area of Poonch district, prompting an immediate search in Maidaan Mohalla, Gursai. Further cordon and search operations are underway in several areas of Poonch and Rajouri, including Mohalla Qasba, Allapir, Jaalian, Mandi, Mankote, Dera Ki Gali, Sunderbani and Nowshera.
A total of 13 locations are being searched in Poonch-Rajouri and another 18 locations in the higher reaches of Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar, focusing particularly on the Khaderan forest. The Akhnoor sector is also under scrutiny, with operations ongoing in Keri, Bhattal, and surrounding areas.
According to the army officials there is no contact between the army and the terrorists so far.
Simultaneously, a high-level security review meeting was chaired by Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva, GOC of the Jammu-based White Knight Corps. The meeting involved representatives from intelligence agencies, the J&K Police and the CRPF. “The aim was to maintain peace and tranquility in the region with operational synergy,” Army’s White Knight Corps, also known as XVI Corps, said White Knight Corps in a post on X.
The intensified security measures follow sighting of non-local terrorists in the region and a series of landmine incidents in Poonch, resulting in injuries to Indian Army personnel. A fresh incident occurred Saturday morning when a soldier was injured in an accidental landmine explosion near the LoC in the Nangi-Takeri area of Mendhar. While officials attributed this to potential displacement of landmines by rain, the fresh landmine blasts are concerning the security agencies in the region. Later that day, a rusted mortar shell was discovered in Fazalabad village, Surankote, and safely defused.
