SRINAGAR: In response to recent militant infiltration and the killing of four policemen, security agencies have launched an intensified crackdown on militant sympathisers and overground networks in various parts of the Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district.
“16 individuals, including three women from a single family, have been detained for allegedly providing food, shelter, and logistical assistance to militants. Security forces have also questioned scores of suspects believed to have facilitated militant operations in Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, and Udhampur,” officials said.
The crackdown comes as part of a large-scale multi-agency operation to track down three infiltrating militants who escaped multiple encounters. Security forces have deployed aerial surveillance assets, including drones, helicopters, and sniffer dogs, while ground forces from the Army, NSG, J&K Police, SoG, CRPF, and BSF are conducting intense search operations in Billawar, Bhaddu, Ghatti, and Kog-Mandli.
Notably, the first confrontation with the newly infiltrated militant group took place on March 23. On March 27, two militants were killed in Sanyal, but the remaining members retaliated, killing four policemen and injuring three others before disappearing into dense forests. Another encounter followed on March 31 in Panjtirthi-Juthana, but the militants once again managed to escape.
Security agencies believe that without a strong overground worker (OGW) network, militants would struggle to survive in the region. The crackdown is expected to continue against alleged overground workers. (KNT)
