J&K security forces launch multi-district search ops in Jammu after suspicious movement
Synopsis
Security forces have fanned out across at least five districts in Jammu division — Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua, Poonch, and Rajouri — after locals reported unidentified individuals near homes and forests. The multi-district sweep, supervised by senior officers, signals that ground intelligence is pointing to something more than isolated incidents.
Key Takeaways
Security forces launched coordinated search operations across Udhampur , Reasi , and Kathua districts on 18 August .
The Udhampur operation was triggered after two unidentified persons wearing shawls knocked at the home of Prakash Chand in Talot village late Monday night, asking for food.
Joint police and CRPF teams cordoned the area; searches also covered Jophar/Ramnagar forests and Majalta sector .
Searches in Reasi targeted Sadini forests ; in Kathua , villages near the International Border in Hiranagar sector were covered.
Parallel operations are ongoing in Poonch and Rajouri , where suspicious movement was reported two days earlier .
DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range and SSP Udhampur are personally supervising operations, vehicle checks, and forest combing.
Security forces in Jammu division launched coordinated, multi-district search operations on Tuesday, 18 August, following separate reports of suspected persons moving through Udhampur, Reasi, and Kathua districts, officials said. The simultaneous operations reflect heightened surveillance across the region amid recurring reports of unidentified individuals near sensitive areas.
What Triggered the Operations
In Udhampur, the immediate trigger came late Monday night, when two unidentified persons wearing shawls knocked repeatedly at the residence of Prakash Chand in Talot village, asking for food. Residents did not open the door and, after the duo left in the direction of Khuban, alerted security forces. A joint team of police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) subsequently cordoned the area and began a search-and-trace operation.
Scope of the Search Operations
Beyond Talot village, search teams combed the Jophar/Ramnagar forest stretches and the Majalta sector in Udhampur. In Reasi, forces conducted searches through the Sadini forests following similar movement reports. In Kathua, several villages near the International Border in the Hiranagar sector were covered as part of the security sweep.
Senior Officers Supervising on Ground
High-ranking officers, including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Udhampur-Reasi Range and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur, are personally overseeing the operations. Intensive vehicle checks and forest combing exercises are also under way alongside the cordon-and-search missions.
Wider Pattern Across Jammu Region
Parallel searches are also ongoing in Poonch and Rajouri districts, where locals reportedly flagged suspicious movement two days prior. This is consistent with a broader pattern of heightened security mobilisation across the Jammu region, where agencies have periodically launched cordon operations following ground-level intelligence inputs. Officials confirmed that operations were continuing and that further details would emerge as they progressed.
Point of View
If unverified, intelligence rather than a single local tip. The Jammu region has seen a spike in infiltration-linked incidents over the past year, and the pattern of unidentified persons seeking food at civilian homes in remote villages fits a known modus operandi. What is notable is the speed of the response and the seniority of officers deployed on the ground. Whether this sweep yields results will matter beyond the immediate security question: repeated large-scale operations that find nothing erode community cooperation, while a confirmed contact could escalate the situation significantly.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have security forces launched search operations in Jammu's Udhampur, Reasi, and Kathua districts?
Forces launched the operations on 18 August following reports of suspicious persons moving through these districts. In Udhampur, the immediate trigger was two unidentified individuals who knocked at a civilian home in Talot village late Monday night asking for food before fleeing toward Khuban.
Which security agencies are involved in the Jammu multi-district search operation?
Joint teams of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are conducting the operations. Senior officers including the DIG of the Udhampur-Reasi Range and the SSP Udhampur are supervising on the ground.
Which areas are being searched as part of this operation?
Search teams are covering Talot village, Jophar/Ramnagar forest stretches, and Majalta sector in Udhampur; Sadini forests in Reasi; and villages near the International Border in Kathua's Hiranagar sector. Separate searches are also ongoing in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Have the two suspicious persons in Udhampur been apprehended?
As of the latest official update, the two persons had not been traced. Officials confirmed that search operations were continuing and that further details would be shared as the situation develops.
Is this part of a broader security pattern in the Jammu region?
Yes. Parallel operations in Poonch and Rajouri — where suspicious movement was reported two days earlier — suggest a wider surveillance mobilisation. The Jammu region has seen repeated cordon-and-search exercises in recent months amid concerns over infiltration and militant activity.
