KATHUA: Joint teams of security forces have busted multiple terrorist hideouts in the forest areas of Billawar in Kathua district during an ongoing anti-terror operation, police said on Thursday.
According to officials, on January 7, 2025, reliable intelligence inputs were received regarding the movement of anti-national elements in the forest area of Kamaad Nallah, Kalaban, Dhanu Parole in Billawar. Acting swiftly, joint teams of security forces launched a large-scale search operation to neutralise the terrorists.
During the operation, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces, triggering an exchange of fire that continued throughout the night. No casualties were reported from the security forces.
During the initial search, one terrorist hideout was detected, from which several items were recovered, including two empty M4 cartridges, a plastic box containing desi ghee, a polythene packet with almonds, hand gloves, a cap, blanket, tarpaulin sheet, a small pouch, and a polythene bag.
In continuation of the operation, on January 16, 2026, joint teams busted two more terrorist hideouts in the Kalikhad and Kalaban areas of Billawar.
Items recovered from the subsequent hideouts include a cooking gas cylinder, cooking oil, charger wire, hand gloves, cooking and eating utensils, an empty oil gallon, large plastic bags, torch, blankets, a container, and wrappers of eatables, along with other miscellaneous material.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kathua, Ms Mohita Sharma, said that the search operation is still underway and reiterated that Kathua Police remains fully committed to maintaining peace and security in the district.
Security forces have intensified surveillance in the forest belt to track down the terrorists and prevent any further movement in the area.
