Searches after suspicious border movements amid Kathua hunt

JAMMU: Security forces launched on Friday search operations in Jammu’s Akhnoor and Ramkot- Billawer of Kathua district after locals reported suspicious movements along the border with Pakistan, officials said. The pockets have been on high alert with forces asking people to share details of suspected movements after the July 8 Kathua ambush by terrorists on an army patrol in which five troopers died.

“A joint search was launched by the Army, J&K Police and CRPF in Guda Patan and Kana Chak areas along the International Border in close vicinity of the Chenab river in the Akhnoor sector early Friday after information about the suspicious movements of three people,” an official said.

A poultry farm operator reportedly provided the tip. “The forces have scanned agricultural fields, villages and adjoining habitation from Rajpura of Kanachak to Gharota of Akhnoor,” the official said. The searches were underway till late Friday.

Another search with personnel from CRPF and J&K Police was launched near the border in Ramkot of Kathua’s Billawer. This followed information about two “suspicious” persons.

Meanwhile, joint teams of Army, J&K Police and CRPF continued massive combing operations in the Kathua-Udhampur-Doda belt's dense forests to track down the terrorists behind the July 8 ambush. Choppers, special forces and army sniffer dogs have been deployed.

At least 60 people have been detained for questioning, including three suspected of having provided food and shelter to the terrorists, officials said. “Searches continue in the Basantgarh of Udhampur after a sentry opened fire on one suspicious movement on July 10,” the official added.

Alongside the combing operations, senior officials of J&K and Punjab Police met BSF brass Thursday to review the situation along the International Border (IB) across which the terrorists are believed to have infiltrated.

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