SRINAGAR: A joint anti-militancy operation by security forces entered its fifth day in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, as search teams continued combing the Lasana forest belt, where militants are believed to be hiding. The operation, launched by the Army’s Romeo Force and the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), follows a brief encounter earlier this week.
On Monday, militants reportedly opened fire on Romeo Force personnel near Lasana village, which lies along the Poonch–Jammu National Highway. One security personnel sustained injuries in the attack.
Security forces have cordoned off large sections of the forest area and are conducting intensive searches using aerial surveillance and ground units.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, B.S. Tuti, confirmed that the region has witnessed a resurgence in militant activity in recent years. “For the last one and a half to two years, Poonch has been grappling with a fresh wave of militancy,” Tuti said, adding that a coordinated action plan has been put in place with the Army to neutralise the threat.
“We have identified several areas of concern. Our teams are on the job, and results will be visible soon,” he added.
The operation began late Monday night after an exchange of fire between militants and security forces, prompting a large-scale deployment in the forested terrain of the border district. (KNT)
