J-K: Gunfight Breaks Out In Kathua After Terrorists Attack Security Forces During Search Operation

Kathua Encounter: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua as they launched an anti-terror operation in the Billawar area of the district on Tuesday.

According to officials, suspected terrorists fired a few shots on observing the movement of the forces during a search operation, prompting retaliation from security forces. 

The intermittent firing was reported from the Najote forest area of Billawar, about 10 km from the Kamadh nallah in the Kahog forest belt, where security forces exchanged fire with terrorists on January 7, the officials were quoted by PTI.

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The encounter occurred days after security forces launched a search operation to track down terrorists in Kathua district. The search operation was carried out after forces received information that two to three terrorists were hiding in the area. The cordon-and-search operation was strengthened, and efforts are on to track down the ultras, the officials said.

An encounter had broken out between terrorists and security forces in Kahog on January 7, but the ultras managed to escape, taking advantage of the darkness, the challenging geography and dense forests. 

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The security forces have heightened anti-terror operations in the valley ahead of Republic Day celebrations.