Terror in Kathua: Security Forces Detain 24 as Manhunt Intensifies Amid Torrential Rains.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Parvinder Singh July 11, 2024||
JAMMU : As the relentless search for the terrorists behind the recent ambush in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, enters its third day, 24 individuals have been detained for questioning. This ongoing operation, taking place in the midst of torrential rains and dense forest terrain, involves the coordinated efforts of the army and police across four districts.
The meticulously planned search operation, launched from Kathua, Udhampur, and Bhaderwah, aims to track down and neutralize the perpetrators of the deadly attack that claimed the lives of five army personnel. Security forces are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit, even as they grapple with the challenging weather conditions.
Officials have confirmed that security forces are conducting extensive searches in the dense forests of Udhampur, Samba, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Fresh operations were initiated in Samba’s Lala Chack, Rajouri’s Manjakote, and Poonch’s Surankote regions on Wednesday morning. Despite the difficult topography and heavy rainfall, the search teams are making significant progress.
The ambush, which occurred on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar mountainous road near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, approximately 150 km from Kathua district headquarters, has left the community in shock and mourning. Five army personnel were killed, and several others were injured in this heinous act of terror.
Personnel from the army’s special forces “Para” unit have been deployed to conduct surgical operations in specific areas. Supported by helicopter and UAV surveillance, sniffer dogs, and metal detectors, the search teams are meticulously combing through the dense forest regions. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also joined the probe, providing crucial assistance to the local police.
In Doda district, where a gunfight occurred between terrorists and security forces on Tuesday evening, the search continues in the Ghadi Bhagwah forest area. This region, bordering Kishtwar district, is believed to be hiding two terrorists who sustained injuries during the encounter.
The ambush has understandably raised safety concerns among the residents of Badnota and its neighboring villages. There is a growing demand for the establishment of village defense groups to enhance local security.
Tilak Raj, a local villager, voiced the community’s determination: “The government should provide weapons and training to us. We are ready to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with our forces against the terrorists.” Similarly, Parshotam, a 20-year-old student, emphasized the need for self-defense: “The situation changes altogether when you have weapons in your hands. We can swiftly move into the forests and help tackle the threat of terrorism.”
Imran Ahmad, a local resident who moved to Machedi due to terror threats, highlighted the unity among the community: “Muslims and Hindus of the area want peace and are ready to assist security forces in wiping out terrorism. Our eyes filled with tears with the loss of our soldiers. Such an attack had never happened here, even during the peak of terrorism over two decades ago.”
The villagers have expressed their willingness to support the security forces in their fight against terrorism. Ahmad added, “Innocent villagers, who have moved with their flocks of livestock to the upper reaches, are compelled to provide food to terrorists as they are threatened at gunpoint. We are with our forces in the fight against terrorism.”
As the search operation continues, the combined efforts of the security forces and the local community are crucial in restoring peace and security in the region. The determination and resilience of the residents, coupled with the advanced tactics employed by the army and police, signify a strong stance against the threats posed by terrorism.
