Security forces launched a major anti-terror operation in the forested areas of Billawar in Kathua district on Thursday, after terrorists opened fire on a routine patrolling team. The attack triggered an intense gunfight, marking the latest in a series of counter-terror actions in the Jammu region.
According to senior security officials, the encounter began during a cordon and search operation (CASO) initiated based on specific intelligence about the presence of two to three terrorists hiding in the area. As the security forces, comprising local police and central paramilitary units, advanced to seal the suspected zone, they were met with sudden gunfire from the hidden terrorists.
"The terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit, initiated fire on the patrolling party in a bid to break the cordon. Our forces retaliated strongly, and an encounter is underway," a security official stated. The operation is being conducted with precision to neutralize the threat while ensuring minimal collateral damage.
This incident comes just days after a similar large-scale search operation was conducted in the adjoining areas of Kathua district, reflecting heightened militant activity in the region. The Jammu region, particularly the districts near the International Border and the Pathankot axis, has witnessed several such engagements over the past months, indicating a shift in infiltration patterns and terrorist movement.
Security analysts point to attempts by Pakistan-based groups to destabilize the relatively peaceful Jammu division by embedding small terrorist modules in remote, mountainous terrain. The use of forested hideouts in Kathua, Samba, and Rajouri districts has become a recurring challenge for security forces.
The operation in Billawar is ongoing at the time of reporting, with additional reinforcements deployed to tighten the cordon and prevent any escape. Exchange of fire is reported to be intermittent as forces proceed with caution. The area has been sealed, and residents have been advised to remain indoors.
This latest engagement underscores the continued vigilance and proactive posture of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. It also highlights the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism, even as efforts for normalcy and development continue in the Union Territory.
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