Jammu, April 1 — Security forces have resumed their coordinated combing operation in the dense Panjthirthi-Barota forest area of Kathua district, following another round of gunfire late Monday night. The ongoing operation, involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, NSG, and BSF, aims to neutralize three terrorists believed to be hiding in the rugged terrain.
The renewed confrontation, which occurred after intelligence-based surveillance identified movement in the region, has heightened concerns about the re-emergence of heavily armed militants across the Jammu sector — an area once considered relatively stable compared to the Valley.
According to officials, Monday night’s exchange of fire is linked to a terrorist group that first came under the radar on March 23, near the International Border in the Nursery area. Although contact was established at that time, all group members had managed to evade arrest or elimination.
Four days later, the group was traced to Sanyal forest in Kathua, where a fierce encounter ensued. Two terrorists were killed in that operation, but the remaining members slipped away, using the dense jungle terrain to their advantage. The firefight proved costly for the security forces, resulting in the deaths of four policemen and injuries to three others.
Multi-Agency Sweep in High Gear
Security personnel resumed the “seek and destroy” operation at daybreak on Tuesday, deploying aerial surveillance, sniffer dogs, and ambush units in strategic positions across the forest belt. The Army’s Rising Star Corps confirmed via social media that fresh contact was made with the terrorists late Monday after detecting suspicious movement.
Officials stated that forces have locked down the Panjthirthi-Barota area, reinforced security perimeters, and activated night cordons to prevent further escape. A layered strategy is now in place with ground personnel supported by air reconnaissance drones and thermal imaging devices.
The security effort is not limited to Panjthirthi-Barota. It now stretches across Rui, Juthana, Ghati, and Sanyal in the Rajbagh sector, with operations extended into parts of Billawar. The terrain — heavily forested with sparse civilian settlements — presents a significant challenge for boots-on-ground forces attempting to flush out combatants skilled in evading detection.
Eyewitness Account: Suspicious Trio Seen in Rui Village
Hours before the latest round of gunfire, an elderly woman in Rui village reported a chilling encounter. According to her account, three men dressed in black robes carrying bags entered her home asking for water. They helped themselves to food — taking rotis and vegetables from her kitchen — and even attempted to hand her Rs 1,000 in cash before quickly vanishing. She declined the money, and immediately informed neighbours.
Security agencies say such behaviour is indicative of militants on the run without logistical support — relying on local households for food and shelter in the absence of a structured overground network.
Investigation Targets Local OGW Network
The latest developments have prompted a closer look at the suspected support network enabling terrorist movements in Kathua. Six individuals, including women, have been detained for interrogation. Investigators allege they provided shelter, food, or guidance to the militants currently being pursued.
All detained persons are linked to the family of Mohammad Latief, a known overground worker (OGW) who is already in jail under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Latief had allegedly provided assistance to the same group during a prior attack in Malhar, where six Army personnel were killed in an ambush on a military truck. Officials now believe the recently killed terrorist Abu Tala had also stayed at Latief’s residence during his movements in the region.
Sources suggest that the captured suspects may have played a direct role in helping the remaining terrorists escape after earlier encounters. Authorities are now combing through mobile data, call records, and local travel logs to identify any broader linkages.
Shifting Hideouts Challenge Pursuit
One of the key difficulties faced by security forces is the tactical shift in the terrorists’ hideouts. Officials said that the militants are continuously changing locations in the jungle, using the geography to evade capture. The forest cover, along with riverine areas and scattered hamlets, gives the fugitives significant room to manoeuvre.
In response, multiple checkpoints have been set up around villages bordering the forest belts. Combing teams are now focusing on high-ground vantage points and potential supply routes that could be used by the terrorists to escape toward either Punjab or deeper into Jammu’s interior.
This mobility of the terrorists, security experts say, underlines the need for enhanced ground intelligence and local coordination. Village Defence Committees (VDCs) have been reactivated, and residents have been asked to report unfamiliar faces, unclaimed baggage, or any movement in restricted zones.
Terrain, Weather Add to Operational Strain
The rugged forest terrain in Kathua, especially in areas like Barota and Sanyal, features deep ravines, thick undergrowth, and few clear lines of sight. Security forces are conducting man-to-man sweeps supported by helicopter units for aerial mapping and thermal scanning.
Weather conditions, including overcast skies and thick morning fog, have periodically slowed down the search operation. However, officials say that real-time drone footage and satellite mapping continue to assist in identifying possible hideouts and movement patterns.
Despite the scale of the operation, there has been no civilian evacuation, as officials say the threat remains confined to the forested belts. That said, local schools have been shut temporarily as a precaution, and night movement in and out of certain areas has been restricted.
Security Grid Strengthened Across Jammu
The unfolding encounter in Kathua has broader implications for the security architecture of the Jammu region. Authorities have heightened vigil along the International Border and Line of Control to cut off potential reinforcements or escape routes for the fugitive terrorists.
Top intelligence officials have warned of renewed attempts by Pakistani handlers to activate dormant cells in Jammu, especially as cross-border infiltration becomes more difficult in the Valley. The recent use of forest corridors in Jammu suggests a shift in operational strategy by militant groups.
The combing operation is now being viewed as a test case for inter-agency coordination between central and state forces. Regular briefings are being conducted at the divisional level, with inputs shared between Army intelligence, state police, and central paramilitary forces.
Security forces are expected to continue operations until the fugitives are neutralized or captured. Officials refused to comment on an estimated timeline but confirmed that “full containment and neutralisation” remains the mission objective.
The multi-agency hunt in Kathua underscores the evolving nature of the security challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, where militants are shifting tactics and exploiting remote terrain. The confrontation reflects not only a localized threat but a broader attempt to destabilize areas once considered peaceful. With three terrorists still on the run, the spotlight remains on how swiftly and effectively the security grid can adapt to prevent any future escalation.
