Search ops launched in 3 J&K districts; GOC IX Corps visits Kathua

JAMMU: Security forces launched cordon-and-search operations in three J&K districts — Rajouri, Doda, and Poonch — following inputs about suspected terrorist movement, officials said Wednesday. Meanwhile, GOC Rising Star Corps (also known as IX Corps) Lt Gen Rajan Sharawat reviewed the operational preparedness of troops in Machhedi sector in Kathua district.

Late Tuesday, forces began combing Khandli and its adjoining areas, near Palma, in Rajouri after locals reported sighting two terror suspects moving through a rivulet (nallah) towards a nearby forest, officials said. Similar search operations were launched in several villages in Doda’s Marmat and Dandi Dhara, and Ari Sarooti in Poonch, after residents alerted officials about suspicious movement.

Sources said Kathua’s Bani-Macchedi belt — which Lt Gen Sharawat visited Wednesday — has witnessed several terror attacks and encounters in the past two years. The region lies on the traditional infiltration route used by ultras on their way to the upper reaches of Doda, Kishtwar, and Udhampur.

On Tuesday, GOC White Knight Corps Lt Gen P K Mishra had visited forward areas in Akhnoor in Jammu district to review operational readiness along the Line of Control in Jammu division. The GOC interacted with troops deployed along the LoC and was briefed on measures undertaken to strengthen defences and enhance operational effectiveness.

In a separate development, DIG (Udhampur-Reasi range) Sarah Rizvi reviewed security arrangements at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and along the pilgrimage route ahead of Navratri, which begins Thursday. The DIG directed enhanced foot patrolling, deployment at high points, activation of village defence guards, continuous area domination exercises and long-range patrols as a part of security exercises in the area.
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