No trace of terrorists in Kathua as searches enter second day

A day after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the hilly forest area of Billawar in Kathua district, there was no sign of the ultras as search operations continued throughout Thursday. Security officials believe the terrorists may have broken through the cordon and fled the area.

The encounter occurred near Kamadh Nullah in Kahog village when a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) engaged the militants. One security personnel sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire and was evacuated to hospital.

According to officials, the heavily armed group of Pakistan-trained terrorists was hiding in the area when the J&K Police received specific intelligence inputs and launched the operation. After an initial gunfight, firing ceased, following which a search operation was initiated.

However, due to darkness, dense vegetation and the possibility of ambushes, security forces did not conduct deep searches in the forest on Wednesday night. The search resumed early Thursday morning, but the terrorists could not be located till evening, raising the possibility that they may have slipped out of the cordon, sources said.

Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, BS Tuti, had said on Wednesday evening, “Despite darkness, thick vegetation and treacherous terrain, the SOG is relentlessly engaging the terrorists. Teams of the CRPF are also participating in the joint operation.”

During the searches on Thursday, security forces busted a suspected terrorist hideout located on a steep slope inside the forest. Eatables, utensils and blankets were recovered from the site. Police suspect the terrorists may have procured food supplies either by coercing locals from nearby villages or through overground workers (OGWs).

This is not the first such incident in which terrorists managed to escape after an initial exchange of fire. In recent months, there have been multiple instances in districts such as Kishtwar, Udhampur, Poonch and Kathua where militants slipped through security cordons.

As part of the winter security strategy, forces are carrying out continuous search operations in areas close to the International Border in Kathua district. Locals have been advised to inform the police if any suspicious person is spotted in these areas.

The Army, police and the Border Security Force (BSF) are also working closely with local Village Defence Groups (VDGs), which are maintaining heightened vigil in border and vulnerable areas.

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Courtesy: The Tribune -09-Jan-2026