RAJOURI, May 26: A massive cordon-and-search operation (CASO) by security forces continued for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday in the Gambhir Mughlan and Dorimal forest areas of Manjakote sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district following intelligence inputs about the presence of suspected terrorists.
The joint operation is being carried out by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in the dense forests and rugged terrain of the Pir Panjal belt.
Security forces had established contact with the suspected terrorists on Sunday during the intelligence-based operation, triggering a brief exchange of fire. Since then, extensive search and surveillance operations have been underway across the forest area.
Earlier, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps had said contact was established with terrorists during a joint operation conducted along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in the Gambhir Mughlan area.
Local residents said security deployment in the area has increased significantly over the past few days.
“Security forces have maintained a strong presence in the Gambhir Mughlan forest area after inputs about suspected terrorists,” said a local resident, Aqib Khan.
“The entire region has been placed under a tight cordon, and search operations are continuing. Local residents are cooperating with the security agencies and hoping the situation returns to normal soon,” he added.
Another resident, Mohd Jawed, said the rugged mountainous terrain and dense forest cover in the area were making movement and search operations difficult.
Mohd Zubair, another resident, said people in nearby villages were closely monitoring the situation and hoping for peace and normalcy in the region. (Agencies)
