Jammu and Kashmir: Kathua encounter enters second day, security forces tighten cordon to nab fresh infiltrators
An anti-militancy operation in Sanyal village, near the International Border in Kathua’s Hiranagar sector, has entered its second day as security forces continue their search for a heavily armed group of militants hiding in the area.The operation was launched on March 23 by a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army other security forces after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants in the area.
On Monday evening, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat arrived at the encounter site to supervise the operation personally. He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police (Jammu) Bhim Sen Tuti.
VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir: Search and combing operation continues in Sanyal, Hiranagar of #Kathua.
A cache of incriminating material, including several loaded magazines of M4 carbine assault rifles and a couple of grenades, were seized as security forces intensified their… pic.twitter.com/y5babSOsTo
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 25, 2025
Security forces have sealed off a dense nursery area where three to five militants are suspected to be hiding.
To aid the search, drones (UAVs) have been deployed, leading to the discovery of a significant cache of arms and supplies, including M4 carbine magazines, sleeping bags, tracksuits, food packets, and other items wrapped in plastic bags.
An exchange of gunfire took place soon after security forces launched the operations. Since then there has been no contact with the militants.
The search operation has since intensified, with additional reinforcements, including commandos, sniffer dogs and surveillance equipment.
The militants had taken captive a woman, Anita Devi, her husband and a minor girl who were in the area to collect the firewood. Devi, however, managed to escape from their clutches. Her husband the girl suffered minor injuries when militants opened fire at them while the were fleeing. The girl received medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
Security forces continue to maintain a tight cordon around the area as efforts to eliminate the terrorists are under way.
PHOTO | Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Nalin Prabhat, is leading a combing operation in the dense forests of Sanyal village in Kathua, where Pakistani terrorists are believed to be holed up. Magazines and other items left behind by the fleeing terrorists have been… pic.twitter.com/nFJWAekST5
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 24, 2025
The militants from Pakistan are believed to be a freshly infiltrated group. On Monday, security forces recovered some magazines of M4 rifles, shoes, clothes and a bulletproof jacket belonging to the militants. Commandos of National Security Gaurd (NSG) were also rushed to the area to aid the operation on Monday.
