A fresh firing incident was reported in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir after terrorists were spotted in the area, according to police officials on Thursday. Security forces have cordoned off the area, and further details are awaited. Earlier, on March 23, a similar incident took place in Kathua’s Hiranagar area when security forces were conducting a search operation. Following this, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with troops from the Rising Star Corps of the Indian Army, launched an intelligence-based joint operation in Hiranagar. The Indian Army, through its Rising Star Corps, confirmed the operation via a social media post, stating that it was based on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the Saniyal area of Hiranagar.

Meanwhile, in Anantnag, security forces have intensified operations against terrorist networks. On Wednesday, police conducted searches at multiple locations in the district as part of an ongoing investigation into banned terror outfits. This heightened security activity reflects continued efforts to prevent militant activities from gaining ground in the region.

On Tuesday, a major breakthrough occurred when security forces, including the Special Operations Group (SOG) Anantnag, 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and CRPF, uncovered a terrorist hideout in the dense Sanglan forest under the jurisdiction of Police Station Uttersoo. SSP Anantnag GV Sundeep stated that specific intelligence had led them to launch a search operation in Chitragul, where they dismantled the hideout and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition. An investigation into the findings is underway.

Additionally, in Hassanpora Bijbehara, authorities took action against an illegal structure linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba handler Haron Rashid Ganie. Operating from Pakistan since 2018, Ganie has been accused of radicalizing local youth and facilitating their recruitment into terrorist activities. SSP Sundeep emphasized that law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring such handlers and will take strict legal measures against any attempts to orchestrate terrorist activities from across the border.

The discovery of the hideout in the forested region further highlights the persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. Among the items recovered were approximately 200 empty AK cartridges, two gas cylinders, a Chinese grenade, a Night Vision Device (NVD), bedding, utensils, and food supplies. Preliminary investigations indicate that the location was being used as a logistical base for terrorist operations. Security forces continue to remain vigilant to dismantle such networks and prevent further threats in the region.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.