Jammu, Apr 13 — Forces on Monday launched search operations across multiple border areas of Kathua district following reports of suspicious movement of suspected militants, officials said.
The operation was initiated after inputs about two armed persons carrying heavy backpacks moving from Soffain village towards the Ambanall forest area in Rajbagh during the morning hours.
“Based on the information, police along with the Indian Army and CRPF launched a search and cordon operation in the area,” an official said, adding that no contact had been established with the suspected militants so far.
Searches were also carried out in the Ramkote sector, where teams of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of police, assisted by the CRPF, combed areas including Panjtirthi, Bhini Nallah, Barota and Aglidhar.
Officials said the operations were continuing when last reports came in.
Meanwhile, joint teams of police and the Indian Army are continuing searches for the second consecutive day in the SIDCO forest area of Samba district after suspected movement was reported there late Sunday.
Authorities said operations are being conducted as a precaution to track any possible movement along the border belt.
The development comes against the backdrop of past incidents in the region. In March last year, a gunbattle in the Soffain forest area left four policemen and two militants dead.
In recent years, militancy has seen a spread beyond the Kashmir valley into parts of the Jammu division, including the Pir Panjal and Chenab regions.