Renewed Clash Erupts Between Militants and Security Forces in Kathua, J&K
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Synopsis
A renewed clash erupted in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district between security forces and militants, resulting in two militants being killed during ongoing operations. Security forces are conducting extensive searches in the area and monitoring suspected overground workers aiding the militants.
Key Takeaways
- Fresh confrontation between security forces and militants in Kathua.
- Three militants involved, with two neutralized.
- Search operations ongoing in forested areas.
- Focus on Jaish-e-Mohammad networks.
- Security forces detain six individuals for questioning.
Jammu, April 1 (NationPress) A renewed clash erupted overnight between the security forces and militants in the Panjtirthi region of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.
Officials reported that three militants were involved in this latest confrontation, part of a group of five that had previously engaged with security forces. Two militants were neutralized during the ongoing anti-terror operation.
The current clash is taking place in the rugged terrain between the Ghati and Billawar areas within Kathua district.
Security forces employed aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs as they progressed into the forested regions and elevated areas of Ghati in the Rajbagh sector of Kathua district.
A separate search initiative was also conducted in the Samba sector, located near the International Border, to secure the area.
Reports suggest that three suspected militants entered a residence in Rui village, situated just a few kilometers from the encounter site at Safiyan Jakhole.
Security forces are conducting a comprehensive operation to locate the militants within the forested regions of Rui, Juthana, Ghati, and Sanyal in the Rajbagh area, as well as parts of Billawar.
The joint forces are also concentrating on the networks affiliated with the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad along the International Border.
On the previous night, three suspicious individuals entered a home in Rui village and requested water from an elderly woman.
“I was alone at home when they asked me for water. I retreated to another room out of fear after providing them with water.
“Before departing, they forcibly accessed the kitchen and took away rotis (flatbread) and sabzi (vegetables),” the woman recounted. She mentioned that they even attempted to offer her money, which she declined.
This incident prompted security forces to establish a night cordon in the area.
“It is challenging for militants to survive without the support of overground workers (OGWs), who supply them with food, shelter, and escape routes.
“Security forces have detained six individuals, including some women from a family, for questioning, as they are suspected of providing food, shelter, and assistance to the militants operating in the area.
“The women are connected to Mohammad Latief, an OGW currently in custody under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for aiding militants during an attack on an army convoy last year, which resulted in the deaths of five soldiers.
“It is believed that Abu Tala, one of the deceased militants, stayed at Latief’s residence.
“Security forces have interrogated over two dozen individuals regarding militant movements in the region. The police are also monitoring the group of militants after intercepting them on March 23 within a ‘dhok’ in a nursery in Sanyal village, adjacent to the International Border with Pakistan. This tracking led to an encounter at Safiyan Jakhole in the Rajbagh area, resulting in the elimination of two militants and the martyrdom of four police officers last Thursday,” officials stated.
