"Search operations are conducted to ensure safety of area," says SP-SOG, J-K Police

Srinagar, July 10: Jammu and Kashmir Police, SP-SOG, Guru Ram Bhardwaj emphasised that regular search operations are conducted by security forces following a terror attack to monitor the situation and ensure safety in the area.

Security forces are conducting a search operation in the Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir days after five Army soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists on July 8.

Giving details about the necessity of search operations, Bhardwaj told ANI, "This is a routine search operation and aerial domination exercise... Whenever such incidents (terrorist attacks) happen, it becomes obvious for us to ensure the safety of the area that falls under our jurisdiction..."

Highlighting that the Monday Kathua terror attack took place near the border area, he said, "Joint exercises are regular and since the area is close to the border, regular search operations and keeping an eye on the activities in the area becomes a necessity..."

Five Army soldiers lost their lives and as many as were injured in an ambush by terrorists in Kathua district on July 8.

The attack occurred on the Machedi-KindliMalhar road in a remote area, approximately 150 km from Kathua town, at around 3.30 pm on Monday.

The attack is believed to be the latest in a series of terrorist incidents in the region, which have been attributed to attempts by Pakistan to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.

The region where the ambush took place is part of the old infiltration route along the international border, which the attackers appear to have reactivated. The area is primarily monitored by the BSF and falls under the jurisdiction of the 9 Corps of the Army, under the Western Command.

The attack took place when a group of heavily armed terrorists ambushed the patrolling party of the Army in the Badnota area in Kathua.