Jammu, Jan 7: Security forces on Wednesday established contact with a group of terrorists in the Kamadh Nullah area of Kahog in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district, triggering a major cordon and search operation in the region. Official sources said that three terrorists are believed to be trapped in the forested area as joint teams of the Army, CRPF, local police and Special Operations Group strengthened the cordon to prevent their escape.
According to reports, the encounter unfolded after a team of the Special Operations Group noticed suspicious movement along Kamadh Nullah. One terrorist, who was moving ahead, was first spotted and challenged by the SOG personnel. Two more terrorists were seen following him at some distance, prompting the security team to open fire and establish contact.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that one of the terrorists may have been hit during the initial exchange of fire, though there was no official confirmation of injuries on either side. Officials said the terrorists had likely descended from the surrounding mountainous terrain, possibly to collect food supplies or to carry out a planned attack in the area.
Sources said the suspects had briefly stopped at a location for tea, during which their movement was reported to the SOG, leading to the launch of the operation. As the gunfight broke out, reinforcements from the Army and CRPF were rushed to the spot and the entire area was cordoned off to tighten the security grid.
The terrorists were reportedly sighted twice earlier in the day, first around 7.30 am and again at about 12.30 pm. However, direct contact was established around 4 pm, following which an exchange of fire continued for over an hour before subsiding. Since then, no fresh firing has been reported, though security forces continue to maintain a tight cordon.
Inspector General of Police Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, confirmed the engagement in a post on social media, stating that the SOG had engaged terrorists in the forest area of Kamadh Nullah in Kathua district. In a subsequent update, he said that despite darkness, dense vegetation and difficult terrain, the SOG teams were relentlessly pursuing the terrorists, with CRPF units also actively participating in the joint operation.
Official sources said search teams are proceeding cautiously to avoid casualties, given the thick forest cover and challenging topography of the area. Night-long vigil is being maintained, and additional forces have been deployed to seal possible escape routes.
Kathua district has witnessed multiple terror-related incidents over the past two years. Officials said that 16 people, including 11 security personnel and five terrorists, have lost their lives in encounters in the district during this period. Terrorist activity resurfaced in the area in 2024 after more than a decade, leading to the killing of seven security personnel and two militants that year. In the previous year, seven more deaths were reported, including four security personnel and three terrorists.
In addition, four civilians have died under mysterious circumstances in the district, with local residents suspecting the involvement of terrorists. Security agencies remain on high alert as operations continue to neutralise threats and restore a sense of security in the border district.