The anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Kathua district entered its second day on Monday, with security forces maintaining a tight cordon around the forested area of Sanyal village in Hiranagar tehsil, near the International Border (IB) with Pakistan. Officials reported that no exchange of fire took place overnight.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, along with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhim Sen Tuti, visited the site on Sunday evening to oversee the operation. Security forces, including the Army, Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&amp;K Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have surrounded the area where 3 to 5 terrorists are believed to be holed up.
A 7-year-old girl sustained injuries on Sunday amid the crossfire and was immediately hospitalized. Doctors confirmed her condition as stable. The search operation was launched based on intelligence from a local couple who spotted the suspected terrorists while collecting firewood in the area.
Earlier reports indicate that three civilians from Kathua&mdash;Darshan Singh, 40, Yogesh Singh, 32, and Varun Singh, 14&mdash;went missing on March 5 while returning from a wedding in Marhoon village. Their bodies were discovered on March 8 after an extensive search, triggering security concerns in the region.
Political reactions have followed the ongoing encounter. Congress MLA Nizam Uddin Bhat stated, &ldquo;This is not a good situation. We are dealing with violence, and who likes violence? While tackling terrorism, our primary concern has always been to avoid collateral damage, prevent civilian casualties, and ensure that security forces handle the situation safely.&rdquo;
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma strongly condemned Pakistan for repeated infiltration attempts and criticized those advocating dialogue. &ldquo;Pakistan continues to send terrorists across the border while itself battling terrorism internally. It is unfortunate that some legislators still propose talks despite ongoing infiltration,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said.
The recent surge in terrorist activities in Jammu, once confined to Poonch and Rajouri, has extended to previously unaffected regions like Udhampur, Kathua, and the Chenab Valley. Security analysts suggest that intensified anti-terror operations in Kashmir have pushed militants toward the Pir Panjal mountain range, using it as a staging ground for attacks.
Security forces remain on high alert, with elite units combing the Dolka forest area near the IB to neutralize any remaining threats.
(With agency input)

Security forces surround holed-up terrorists near IB; leaders weigh in on infiltration threats

Kathua Encounter: Anti-Terror Ops Continue in J&K

Security forces surround holed-up terrorists near IB; leaders weigh in on infiltration threats

March 24, 2025 | 11:05 IST