Search operation in Samba, Sidhra: High Court, other premises undergo sanitisation, security drills

Jammu, Jan 9: Security forces on Friday launched intensive search operations in Katli and adjoining areas of Samba district, following the reports about the suspected movement.

Officials said that a joint search operation was launched after locals reported about the sighting of an armed individual in the Katli area.

Notably in the neighbouring Kathua district, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) is already underway for the past three days after the security forces established contact with a group of two to three terrorists on January 7 evening.

Meanwhile, searches along with a sanitisation exercise were also conducted in Miran Sahib area of Jammu district on Friday. Entire Jammu region is on high security alert ahead of Republic Day.

A similar search operation was conducted in Sidhra area in Jammu outskirts. “Entire Sidhra forest stretch was sanitised amid high security alert,” officials said.

On January 8, a similar sanitisation drill was conducted at the High Court and district court premises.

Officials said that the sanitisation exercise, involving the bomb squad and the sniffer dogs besides surveillance equipment, at the court premises, including parking areas, was precautionary in nature.