Srinagar, Mar 10: Security forces have launched a large-scale search operation in the dense forests of Billawar in Kathua district to locate terrorists believed to be hiding in the area, police confirmed on Tuesday.
A police officer informed Rising Kashmir that the operation is focused on tracking down terrorists responsible for the recent killing of three civilians in the Billawar area.
“The operation is taking place in a rugged terrain with thick jungles and steep slopes, thus a natural cover for the terrorists. To monitor the area, security forces have deployed drones for surveillance,” the officer said. “Additional troops have been sent to strengthen the cordon in the region.”
Both the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are being assisted by a mix of small quadcopters and larger drones to maintain a continuous watch over the area. Authorities are also utilizing both technical and human intelligence to trace the hiding terrorists.
The officer further stated that more troops have been deployed to help locate the militants. “We’ve cordoned off the area, and all routes leading to the forests are sealed off. As of now, there’s been no exchange of fire,” he added.
“The operation is ongoing, and additional forces are arriving. The cordon is being tightened. Some of the terrorists are believed to be holed up inside the dense forests. To aid the operation, additional lighting has been deployed,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, two teenagers from the Gujjar community have gone missing from the Rajbagh area of Kathua. Despite several days of search efforts by family members, their whereabouts remain unknown. A missing persons report has been filed at the Rajbagh police station.
Mohammad Saleem, a police officer at Rajbagh Station, told Rising Kashmir that two minors went missing while grazing cattle in the area.
“We have registered an FIR (No. 51/2025) under Section 137(2) and have launched an investigation into the incident. Hopefully, they will be traced soon,” he said.
Another officer clarified that there is no terrorism link in the case. “The missing teenagers, Mohammad Din and Rehman Ali, may have headed towards the Punjab border. Efforts are ongoing to trace their whereabouts,” he added.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, a local resident, explained that the two teenagers had gone to graze sheep near the Goat Farm in Pambadwan, close to Hardo Mutthi village, when they suddenly vanished. “We urge the police to locate them as soon as possible,” Sidhu said.
On Sunday, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Jammu-Kathua-Samba (JKS) Range, Shiv Kumar said that comprehensive security measures are being implemented to fortify these areas.
On March 8, the bodies of a teenager and his two relatives were discovered near a waterfall in Malhar, Kathua district, three days after they went missing during a family wedding.
