Lagatar24 Desk
Jammu: The search for the terrorists responsible for the ambush in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, which resulted in the deaths of five Army personnel, has entered its third day. Officials report that at least 24 individuals have been detained for questioning in connection with the attack.
The joint operation by the Army and police is ongoing amid heavy rains in dense forests spread across four districts, including Kathua. Launched from Kathua, Udhampur, and Bhaderwah, the operation aims to locate and neutralize the terrorists believed to be hiding in the forest.
Security forces have detained 24 individuals for questioning related to the ambush. Efforts to track down the terrorists continue, with personnel deployed in the dense forests of Udhampur, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Fresh searches were initiated in the Lala Chack area of Samba, Manjakote area of Rajouri, and Surankote of Poonch on Wednesday morning.
On Monday, terrorists ambushed a patrol party on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar mountainous road near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, approximately 150 km from the Kathua district headquarters. The attack killed five Army personnel and injured several others. Security personnel are proceeding cautiously in the Bhaderwah area due to its challenging terrain, thick foliage, and natural caves.
The Army’s special forces “Para” unit has been deployed to conduct targeted operations. Helicopter and UAV surveillance support the search teams, along with sniffer dogs and metal detectors, particularly in dense forest areas. The National Investigation Agency has visited the ambush site and is assisting the police in the investigation.
In a separate operation in Doda district, police and Army personnel are combing the Ghadi Bhagwah forest area, which borders Kishtwar district. The search resumed early Wednesday to hunt down two terrorists believed to have been injured in a Tuesday encounter. The terrorists remain at large.
