Terrorists who are believed to have escaped from an encounter site in the Sanyal area of Hiranagar, Kathua, left behind a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and personal belongings.
Security forces recovered four rifle magazines, four ID packs, bulletproof jackets, multiple pairs of shoes, sleeping bags, and tracksuits, according to reliable sources.
The items are currently being examined as part of the ongoing investigation while security personnel intensify their search for the fleeing militants.
The encounter was triggered after intelligence agencies received inputs about the presence of terrorists hiding in a Dhok (mud house) within the dense nursery in Sanyal village, located approximately five kilometers from the international border with Pakistan.
Acting on this information, personnel from the police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) launched a search operation in the area.
However, as the security team approached the suspected hideout, they came under heavy fire from the militants, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. Additional reinforcements were immediately dispatched to the area to strengthen the operation.
Officials believe the terrorists infiltrated on Saturday, possibly using a ravine route or a recently constructed tunnel to cross into Indian territory.
The gun battle lasted for nearly half an hour, but no casualties have been reported so far. However, a seven-year-old girl sustained minor injuries during the exchange of fire and was taken to a local hospital. The exact circumstances of how she was injured remain unclear.
According to intelligence reports, two groups of 5-6 militants each are suspected to have crossed the border on Saturday. Some local villagers, particularly women collecting firewood, reported seeing five armed men taking refuge in the thickly forested nursery area.
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The Army’s Rising Star Corps (IX Corps) confirmed on X that a joint operation involving the Army and police is underway based on intelligence about the presence of militants in the region. Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat is personally overseeing the operation.
Meanwhile, villagers recounted chilling encounters with the terrorists. Anita Devi, a 48-year-old local resident, described a terrifying moment when she and her husband came face to face with the armed militants while collecting firewood in the nursery.
"The militants held my husband at gunpoint and gestured for me to come closer. But my husband signaled me to run, and as soon as I realized what was happening, I turned and sprinted away. One of the militants tried to stop me, but I kept running and started shouting for help. My cries alerted two other people nearby who were cutting grass," Devi recounted.
The security forces have cordoned off the area and are conducting intensive searches to track down the fleeing terrorists, ensuring the safety of residents while preventing any further infiltration or attacks.
Also read: J&K: Militant hideout busted, arms recovered in Doda
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