KKN Gurugram Desk | A major security operation in the Sufian region of Jammu’s Kathua district resulted in the deaths of three police officers and three suspected Pakistani militants, according to official sources. The intense encounter unfolded on Thursday when security forces successfully cornered a group of militants who had attempted to flee after an earlier clash in the area on Sunday.

The Encounter: A Surge in Terrorist Activity in Jammu’s Kathua District

The security forces, including personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Indian Army, had been conducting extensive searches in the dense forests of Sufian following earlier reports of terrorist activity in the region. As the operation intensified, militants opened fire on the advancing police and security forces. The encounter escalated rapidly, leading to casualties on both sides.

Three officers from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, including a head constable and two constables, lost their lives in the attack. In addition to the fatalities, DSP Dheeraj Katoch and two other officers sustained injuries. A soldier from the 1 PARA Special Forces was also wounded during the confrontation. The injured personnel have been moved to hospitals in Kathua and Jammu, where their conditions are reported as stable.

Search and Rescue Operation Intensified

The area was quickly cordoned off, and additional security forces were deployed to contain the situation. The ongoing search operation, which entered its fourth day, included a mix of high-tech surveillance, including UAV drones, sniffer dogs, bulletproof vehicles, and specialized counter-terrorism units from the National Security Guard (NSG), BSF, and CRPF. The militants, believed to be from a group that had earlier fled after an encounter near Sanyal village in the Hiranagar sector on Sunday evening, had been on the run for several days.

Terrorist Group Identified and Tracked: Continuing Operations

Sources indicate that the group of militants involved in this recent encounter is the same one that had managed to escape the previous clash in the Hiranagar sector, approximately 35 kilometers away from Sufian. These militants are suspected to be linked to Pakistan-based terrorist organizations, further escalating tensions in the region. After being cornered in a makeshift mountain hut, used by nomadic herders, the militants managed to evade capture once again, sparking a renewed search effort.

Evidence Found: Weapons, Grenades, and IED Materials Seized

During the search, authorities discovered a significant cache of weapons and materials that suggested the militants were well-prepared for prolonged combat. Among the recovered items were four fully loaded magazines of an M4 carbine, two grenades, a bulletproof jacket, a sleeping bag, a tracksuit, and materials used to assemble improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

An important lead came on Monday, when a woman reported seeing two armed individuals in military-style uniforms asking for water. This tip led the search teams to intensify their efforts, pushing them further into the rugged terrain surrounding the Kathua district.

Security Measures Heightened: Jammu-Punjab Border Region on Alert

Authorities have also ramped up security measures along key routes in Jammu, especially the Jammu-Punjab National Highway and surrounding border villages. Roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up to prevent the militants from escaping the area. These strategic moves are part of a larger initiative to tighten security along Jammu’s borders, as there are growing concerns about militant infiltration across the Jammu-Punjab border.

Discovery of Terrorist Hideout in Rajouri District

In a related development, security forces in Rajouri district uncovered a terrorist hideout in the Manial Gali area of the Thanamandi forests. The raid yielded several crucial items, including live cartridges, one grenade, a gas cylinder, a solar panel, and a stockpile of provisions. These discoveries confirm suspicions that militants are using the forests of Jammu as safe havens, and security forces have intensified their operations to eliminate these threats.

Ongoing Efforts to Root Out Terrorism

The recent uptick in violent encounters between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir has raised alarms regarding the rising militant activity in the region. With the border region of Jammu increasingly becoming a hotspot for insurgent infiltration, authorities are focusing on improving intelligence gathering, border surveillance, and counter-insurgency operations. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the Indian Army, are likely to maintain heightened vigilance in the coming weeks, as intelligence reports indicate that more militants may be hiding in the dense forests and mountainous regions.

Impact on Local Population: Security Concerns Growing

The impact of these frequent clashes is being keenly felt by the local population, particularly in rural areas near the Jammu-Pakistan border. In the aftermath of the ongoing encounters, several villages in and around Sufian, Rajouri, and Hiranagar are reporting increased security measures, with civilians being urged to stay indoors during the search operations. There is growing concern that these clashes may disrupt the daily lives of residents and affect local economies, especially agriculture and trade in border areas.

The recent encounter in Kathua underscores the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. As security forces continue their operations, it remains to be seen whether the militants will be successfully apprehended or if they will manage to evade capture once again. The government has assured the public that efforts to combat terrorism in the region will continue with full force, aiming to restore peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir.