Jammu Tawi: A fierce gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in the Ramkot area of Billawar, Kathua district, late Monday night. Reportedly, one militant has been killed and two others were trapped, while security operations continue in the area.
Security forces engaged three militants in a fierce gun battle in the mountainous Panch Tirth area between Ghati and Billawar in Kathua district late on Monday night. The exchange of fire lasted for about 40 minutes before ceasing, officials said. The gunfight started again on Tuesday morning.
The militants were spotted while making their way towards the Billawar hills, prompting security personnel to engage them. This marks the third gunfight in Kathua in the past nine days as security forces intensify their operations in the region.
The militants are believed to be part of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) and two of them were killed in an encounter at Jathuna a few days ago. Four policemen lost their lives in the encounter while seven security forces personnel were injured. Three militants had escaped from the encounter site.
The fresh encounter began when police intercepted three JeM terrorists in the Panch Tirth area of Ramkot in Kathua. Police and CRPF personnel launched an operation, leading to heavy gunfire that lasted throughout the night. Special forces of the Army later joined the operation to strengthen the security response.
This is the third major encounter in Kathua district in as many days. The first took place in Sanyal village of Hiranagar, where five militants were spotted.
A confrontation began when they attempted to kidnap a local couple. The couple escaped and alerted security forces, leading to a gunfight in which two militants were killed at Jathuna, while three others managed to flee.
The second encounter occurred in Juthana, under Rajbagh Police Station, where security forces engaged another group of militants
Two militants were eliminated, though intelligence reports suggest more operatives may be in the area.
Following these encounters, security forces intensified efforts to track down the remaining terrorists. Late last night, three militants were spotted in Panch Tirth, Ramkot. Police, backed by CRPF units, launched an operation, resulting in heavy crossfire. The area has been cordoned off to prevent any escape.
Amid the surge in militant activity, security has been tightened along highways leading to Billawar from Jammu and Kathua.
Intelligence inputs suggest multiple militant groups may have infiltrated from across the border, and authorities fear more attempts could be under way.
Earlier, police arrested several individuals suspected of helping militants move from Sanyal, Hiranagar, to Juthana. These individuals are believed to have guided the militants through established infiltration routes.
As the Billawar search operation continues, security forces remain on high alert, determined to prevent further infiltration and ensure the safety of residents.
DGP, IGP review combing operation at Kathua
Jammu, Apr 1: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhim Sen Tuti on Tuesday visited Kathua district and reviewed the ongoing operation.
DGP Prabhat, along with IGP Tuti and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Shiv Kumar Sharma, arrived at the Panjtirthi site in Kathua where a combing operation is underway to track down three terrorists who escaped after a brief encounter with security forces on Monday night, the officials said.
He took a walk through the riverine and mountainous belt to back his men engaged in one of longest drawn operations.
The operation, led by the Special Operations Group (SOG), Army, and CRPF, has entered its tenth day. Last Thursday, two terrorists were killed, and four police personnel lost their lives in the encounter in the Saniyal area of the district.
Security forces are continuing their search to neutralize any remaining threats.
The officials said the three terrorists are believed to be from a group that had its first face-off with security forces in the Nursery area near the International Border on March 23. All of the terrorists had managed to escape.
Four days later, security forces engaged them in an encounter in a forest area of the Sanyal belt of Kathua when two terrorists were eliminated, and the rest managed to flee. During this exchange of fire, four policemen were also killed and three others injured.
With the hiding terrorists changing their locations in the jungle, the security forces have launched a multi-agency operation to track them down.
The search operation was intensified early on Monday morning with aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs being deployed, culminating into a fresh encounter in the night. A night cordon was laid to ensure that the three terrorists holed-up in the forests do not escape, sources said late on Monday.
