Jammu and Kashmir: Security forces conduct search operations in Rajouri, Udhampur to track terrorists

JAMMU: Security forces conducted massive search operations in the remote, forested areas of J&K’s Rajouri (Kandi) and Udhampur (Basantgarh) districts on Wednesday to track holed-up terrorists, following a brief firefight between the troops and ultras in Kandi’s Beeranthub area the previous evening.The encounter broke out around 7.20 pm on Tuesday after J&K Police’s SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation based on the reported sighting of terror suspects in Beeranthub. Soon after, additional forces — including Army, CRPF, and police personnel — were rushed to the spot to fortify the cordon and plug possible escape routes, officials said.“There has been no fresh exchange of fire since Wednesday morning,” an official said, adding that troops were checking vehicles passing through the Rajouri-Kotranka-Budhal road to identify suspects.Another search operation was launched in Basantgarh’s Dharni top area on Wednesday after locals reported the movements of three terror suspects, an official said.