Kathua:

A search operation was launched in the Hiranagar town area of Kathua district following suspicious movement of three persons on Sunday, officials said.

Speaking to reporters, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Shobhit Saxena said that since Saturday night, a joint operation has been carried out to search the area in collaboration with the Army, Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other agencies.

Aerial surveillance is also being done, SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena added.

“There was some suspected movement. So, we responded within one hour. Since last night, together with Army, SOG, CRPF and others, we searched the entire area. Aerial surveillance is also being done. So, let’s see what happens. We had reports about the presence of 3-4 people. We are corroborating this, people are being questioned. Search continues,” SSP Kathua said.

In a separate incident, two police personnel were found dead with bullet injuries inside a police vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur on Sunday morning, police said. According to Udhampur police, an AK-47 rifle was used in the incident.

Speaking to ANI, SSP Udhampur Amod Ashok Nagpure said that the personnel were on their way to the Talwara training centre from Sopore.

“The incident happened at 6.30 am. They were going from Sopore towards the training centre in Talwara. Police officers have reached the spot. As per the initial investigation, it has been proven that an AK-47 rifle was used in the incident. Two Police personnel have died. A third Police personnel is safe. They will be taken to GMC Udhampur for postmortem and other procedures,” the Udhampur SSP said.

On December 3, one terrorist was killed during an encounter with security forces in Srinagar’s Dachigam forest.

The encounter started on December 2, based on specific intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by Indian Army and J-K Police at Harwan, Srinagar. During the search initial contact was established. Further information is awaited.

Srinagar:

The army’s special forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police shot dead three terrorists in an operation in Kathua district today.

The operation is going on, sources said. The bodies of two terrorists have been found.

The units involved in the operation are the army’s 1 Para, 22 Garhwal Rifles, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Union Territory’s police.

Voting in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases, starting September 18.

Earlier today, a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier was injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistani forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector.

The troops are on high alert, said the BSF, which guards the India-Pakistan international border. This border stretches approximately 3,323 km, dividing the two countries including various sectors with differing levels of tension and security challenges.

Srinagar:

Six policemen, including an officer, were among eight injured after an anti-encroachment drive led to members of a nomadic clashing with cops in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Saturday. 

Bulldozers were used to demolish a mosque allegedly built on state land at Nagri village in the district. Residents of the area, largely Gujjar-Bakarwal nomads, resisted the demolition, clashing with the police and throwing stones at them.

Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the area. 

While the Gujjar-Bakarwals have pointed to earlier incidents and accused the district administration of selectively targeting their places of worship, an official said the demolition was part of a routine drive. 

“Failure to abide by notices to stop unauthorised construction prompted the action. Notices were served twice earlier, but work continued illegally. Our action against illegal encroachers is a routine drive. We urge the civil society not to misinterpret this issue. It’s our collective responsibility to combat the menace of illegal constructions,” the official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. 

Condemning the demolition, the National Conference has said that the drive is aimed at polarisation ahead of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which are supposed to be held before the end of September, as per a Supreme Court order.

“The JKNC strongly advises the administration against targeting any religious, caste, or community group. The selective targeting of masjids raises serious concerns about possible polarisation before elections”

Urging people to maintain calm, the party has requested the Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, to initiate a thorough investigation into the incident.

In a post on X, Syed Altaf Bukhari, President of J&K Apni Party, warned that the incident “threatens the peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir” during the Amarnath pilgrimage. 

“I warn the administration to desist from such acts against any religion, caste, or creed,” he wrote.