KATHUA, APRIL 13— A coordinated search and cordon operation was launched by security forces in the border regions of Kathua district on Monday morning following reports of armed individuals moving through the area. Officials confirmed that the joint operation, involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army, and the CRPF, was initiated after residents spotted two suspicious persons carrying heavy backpacks near Soffain village.
The suspects were reportedly seen heading toward the Ambanall forest area in Rajbagh. While the search remained active throughout the day, authorities stated that no contact had been established with the suspected militants by late evening.
“Police assisted by Army and CRPF started a search and cordon operation immediately after getting the information,” a senior official affirmed, noting that the rugged terrain is being thoroughly combed.
The operation in Kathua coincides with a second day of intensive searches in the SIDCO forest area of neighboring Samba district. That operation was triggered early Sunday after two individuals were observed moving under the cover of darkness.
Security concerns in the Soffain forest are heightened due to past incidents, including a March 2025 gunfight that resulted in the deaths of four policemen and two militants.
