 Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 25: Operation Sanyal, initiated on Sunday following reports from locals about the presence of four to five terrorists in the Hiranagar region of the Kathua district, entered into third day on Tuesday.
The operation saw an escalation with the addition of more troops and elite commandos. To neutralize the threat, the army has mobilized the National Security Guard (NSG) and Para Commandos, while security agencies have intercepted satellite phone signals in the vicinity.
The terrorists, cornered by a robust security cordon and facing counter-fire from the forces, abandoned four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the encounter site and retreated into the thick forest of Dholka. The significant size of the recovered IEDs has fueled speculation that the group arrived well-equipped for a substantial attack. Consequently, Kathua district has been placed on high alert. The incident began on Sunday when the terrorists attempted to abduct a couple near Sanyal village in Hiranagar, close to the India-Pakistan border. The couple managed to escape, alerting authorities to the terrorists’ presence, after which the group opened fire on the tightening security perimeter.
Estimates suggest the terrorist group consists of four to five individuals. While the exchange of gunfire ceased on Sunday night, security forces have maintained a包围 around the Dholka forest adjacent to Sanyal since then. NSG and Para Commandos were air-dropped into the area that night, and a renewed search operation commenced on Tuesday morning.
In the course of the search, security personnel discovered four IEDs, four loaded M-4 carbine magazines, a pair of shoes, sleeping bags, bulletproof jackets, tracksuits, medicines, and food items including roti and meat. The substantial nature of the IED cache indicates that the infiltrating terrorists may be suicide bombers intent on executing a significant strike.
Sources report that drones deployed during the operation spotted several suspects in the area. Additionally, fresh footprints found deep within the forest suggest that the terrorists have relocated their hideout. |
