Massive manhunt in Jammu

Srinagar, June 13:  While gaps are being filled and more area domination exercises are being carried out, security forces launched massive search operations across various districts of the Jammu division, particularly in Doda and Reasi to track down the terrorists responsible for recent deadly attacks.

Terrorists have struck at four locations in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts over the past four days, resulting in the deaths of nine yatris and a CRPF man, with seven security personnel and several others injured.

Senior Police officers are camped at various locations in Jammu including Reasi, Doda, and Kutua.

“Joint parties are carrying out intense searches,” a senior Police officer in Jammu said. “Suspects are being questioned.”

The officer said that some gaps were noted during a joint audit conducted by security and intelligence agencies in the Jammu region.

“Gaps have been filled, and area more domination exercises are being carried out,” he said.

An urgent meeting of the Unified Command was called earlier this week to take stock of these terror attacks.

Top priority was given to ensure the safety of the yatris of the Amarnath Yatra, which will start on June 29 and end on August 19.

Two Pakistani terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kathua, leading to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.

The operations have intensified, with the Army, Police, and paramilitary forces resuming search activities on Thursday morning in areas like Kota Top in Gandoh, Chattagalla, and adjoining regions in Doda district.

These areas witnessed gunfights on Tuesday and Wednesday, during which seven security personnel, including two policemen, sustained injuries.

Despite extensive search efforts, there has been no fresh contact with the fleeing terrorists as of now, officials said.

On Wednesday, Police released sketches of four terrorists involved in two attacks in Doda district, announcing a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their arrest.

Earlier, a similar reward and sketch were issued for one of the terrorists involved in the attack on a bus carrying yatris in Reasi district on Sunday, which left nine persons dead and 41 injured.

Search operations are also underway in Reasi and the adjoining Rajouri district.

Additionally, security forces are conducting searches in Nowshera in Rajouri and nearby Poonch.

In response to intelligence inputs indicating a potential terror threat, security forces have been put on high alert in Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts.

The encounter in Kathua, which began on Tuesday night and lasted over 15 hours, resulted in the deaths of two terrorists.

A CRPF man was also killed and a civilian was injured during the fierce gunfight.

Police issued an advisory on Wednesday, urging residents of the Jammu region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or objects.

This advisory followed intelligence inputs suggesting the possibility of further terror threats in parts of Rajouri and Jammu districts.