Security Forces Tighten Cordon After Terrorist Encounter In J&K’s Kathua

Security forces strengthened the cordon in a remote forest area following an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said. The gunfight broke out in the forest area near Kahog village in Billawar on Wednesday evening after security forces launched a search operation based on information about the presence of two to three terrorists, officials said.

Confirming the encounter, Inspector General of Police (Jammu) Bhim Sen Tuti said the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police had engaged the terrorists in the forest of Kamadh Nullah in Kathua.

“SOG has engaged terrorists in the forest of Kamadh Nullah, Kathua,” Tuti said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

In a subsequent post, the IGP said that despite

darkness, thick vegetation and treacherous terrain, the SOG continued to engage the terrorists. He added that teams of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were also participating in the joint operation.

Officials said it was not immediately known whether any of the terrorists had been hit during the exchange of fire.

The search operation was continuing in the area.