Poonch tunnel search op: J&K forces comb forests after suspicious movement
Synopsis
A security guard's warning shots at a tunnel construction site in Poonch triggered a large-scale joint operation by the Army, J&K Police SOG, and CRPF across the dense forests of Bhatadurian, Sangiot, and Behari Rakh — with drones and sniffer dogs deployed and no contact reported yet. The operation reflects an intensifying intelligence-led push across the Pir Panjal belt.
Key Takeaways
Joint forces launched a search operation in Poonch district, J&K on Tuesday after a security guard fired 3-4 warning rounds near an under-construction tunnel.
No casualties or property damage have been reported; no contact between forces and suspected militants so far.
Search covers Bhatadurian , Sangiot , Behari Rakh forests in the Mendhar sector , plus Surankote and Mankote .
Operations also intensified in Rajouri district near Nowshera on the basis of intelligence inputs.
Drones and sniffer dogs deployed alongside Rashtriya Rifles , SOG , and CRPF personnel.
The operation targets suspected militant groups reportedly shifting positions within the Pir Panjal border belt.
Joint security forces on Tuesday launched a cordon-and-search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district after a security guard posted at an under-construction tunnel site reported suspicious movement in the surrounding forest areas. The operation, which got underway at around 6 am, involves personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
How the Operation Began
According to officials, the security guard on duty at the tunnel construction site noticed suspicious movement and fired three to four rounds as a precautionary measure. No casualties or property damage were reported as a result of the firing. Authorities confirmed that as of the latest update, there has been no contact or exchange of gunfire between security forces and any suspected militants.
Areas Under Search
The primary search zone spans the Mendhar sector, covering the dense forest clusters of Bhatadurian, Sangiot, and Behari Rakh. Additional search operations are simultaneously underway in Surankote and Mankote. In the neighbouring Rajouri district, forces have intensified operations in border belts near Nowshera following intelligence inputs and local reports of suspicious individuals spotted near village sectors.
Forces and Equipment Deployed
The multi-agency operation is being conducted by the Army's Rashtriya Rifles, the J&K Police Special Operations Group, and the CRPF. High-technology assets including drones and sniffer dogs have been deployed to sanitise the dense forest terrain and rugged mountain tracks across the Pir Panjal region.
Pattern of Operations in the Region
This is not an isolated response. Security forces have previously launched massive joint cordon-and-search operations across the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri following multiple reports of suspicious movement and security alerts near the Line of Control (LoC). The latest operations are reportedly targeting active, heavily armed militant groups believed to be shifting positions within the rugged border belt. This comes amid a sustained security push across the Pir Panjal range, which has seen a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations in recent months.
What Comes Next
The search operation remains active and is expected to continue until the forest terrain is fully sanitised. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of contact with suspected militants as forces push deeper into the dense forest zones. The outcome of the operation in both Poonch and Rajouri will likely shape the next phase of security deployments along this stretch of the LoC.
Point of View
And the security establishment appears acutely aware of it. The simultaneous activation of Poonch and Rajouri operations suggests this is not a reactive drill but a coordinated intelligence-driven push. What the public record does not yet show is whether the suspicious movement was linked to a specific group or was a precautionary response to broader LoC activity — a distinction that will matter enormously for how the next phase of operations is calibrated.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was a search operation launched in Poonch on Tuesday?
The operation was triggered after a security guard at an under-construction tunnel site in Poonch district noticed suspicious movement and fired three to four rounds as a precautionary measure. Joint forces from J&K Police, SOG, and CRPF subsequently launched a cordon-and-search operation across surrounding forest areas starting around 6 am.
Has there been any exchange of fire between security forces and militants?
No. As of the latest update, officials confirmed there has been no contact or exchange of gunfire between security forces and any suspected militants. No loss of life or property damage has been reported.
Which areas are being searched in the Poonch operation?
The primary search covers the Mendhar sector, including the forests of Bhatadurian, Sangiot, and Behari Rakh. Additional operations are underway in Surankote and Mankote within Poonch district.
Is the Rajouri district also under a security operation?
Yes. Operations in Rajouri have been intensified in border belts near Nowshera following intelligence inputs and local reports of suspicious individuals spotted near village sectors.
What equipment and forces are deployed in the operation?
The operation involves the Army's Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police Special Operations Group, and CRPF. High-tech assets including drones and sniffer dogs have been deployed to cover dense forest terrain and mountain tracks across the Pir Panjal region.
