'Seek & Destroy' Operations for Terrorist Hideouts in J&K's Poonch Mark 5th Day
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Synopsis
As of April 18, the anti-terror operation in J&K's Poonch district has entered its fifth day, with security forces intensifying their efforts to locate and neutralize terrorist hideouts in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Ongoing Operation: The anti-terror operation has continued for five days.
- Location: Focus on Lasana forest area in Poonch.
- Increased Militant Activity: Resurgence in local militancy confirmed by officials.
- Recent Incidents: Encounter with terrorists in Sanyal village resulted in casualties.
- Coordinated Efforts: Joint action plan involving Army and police.
Jammu, April 18 (NationPress) The anti-terror operation conducted by security forces in J&K's Poonch district has now reached its fifth day as of Friday.
Authorities indicated that the search efforts are ongoing in the Lasana forest region of Poonch, where it is suspected that terrorists are taking refuge.
The operation, initiated by the Romeo Force of the Army's counter-insurgency unit Rashtriya Rifles, along with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, follows a brief clash earlier this week with Romeo Force personnel near Lasana village, located along the Poonch–Jammu National Highway.
During this attack, one security personnel was reported injured.
Security forces have established a cordon around extensive areas of the forest and are performing thorough searches utilizing both aerial surveillance and ground units.
Inspector General of Police for the Jammu Zone, B.S. Tuti, confirmed that the area has experienced a resurgence in militant activities in recent years.
“For the past 1.5 to 2 years, Poonch has been facing a renewed wave of militancy,” noted the IGP, adding that a coordinated action plan with the Army is in place to neutralize the ongoing threat.
“We have pinpointed various areas of concern. Our teams are actively engaged, and results will be evident soon,” he emphasized.
On March 23, a group of five Pakistani terrorists was sighted in Sanyal village of Kathua, just 4 km from the international border.
A police team quickly responded to Sanyal village and engaged the terrorists in a gunfight.
The terrorists managed to flee to Safiyan Jakhole village, where another confrontation occurred.
Two terrorists were neutralized in that encounter, with four policemen sacrificing their lives, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police for the Border and three other officers sustaining injuries.
Joint forces commenced a ‘seek & search’ operation in the vicinity.
Subsequently, the operation area was expanded to the higher regions of Kathua and Rajouri districts.
A brief exchange of gunfire took place between the terrorists and the joint forces in the Billawar area of Kathua district. Since then, efforts to locate the terrorists have persisted, while the Poonch operation commenced five days ago.
