Indian Army soldiers during the hunt for the militants in Kathua. (Photo: X)
Jammu/Udhampur/Srinagar/New Delhi: A fierce encounter between security forces and militants has gripped the Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir over the past week, with intense operations continuing to neutralize the threat posed by infiltrators believed to have crossed over from Pakistan. This series of clashes marks a significant escalation in militant activity in the region, which had been relatively peaceful in recent years.
The ongoing counterterror operation has resulted in significant casualties as security forces continue their efforts to account for the militants. According to the latest reports, so far, the operation has claimed the lives of four J&K policemen and one Indian Army soldier, while two militants have been killed. Several other personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police, have sustained injuries during the clashes.
BIG | Six members of a single family, including 4 women—Mohammad Yunus, Riyaz, Mahima, Zarina, Safima, & Sarabjan—have been arrested for helping terrorists involved in the J&K’s Kathua encounter, in which 4 policemen were killed.
— Ashwini Shrivastava (@AshwiniSahaya) April 2, 2025
The family helped the terrorists escape to the… pic.twitter.com/xFaF9nU3Ue
Initial Contact and Escalation
The first skirmish began on March 23 near Sanyal village in the Hiranagar sector, approximately five kilometres from the international border with Pakistan. Acting on intelligence reports of militants hiding in a nursery enclosure known locally as a “dhok”, security forces initiated a cordon-and-search operation. The militants opened fire on the police team, triggering a gunfight that lasted over half an hour. While no casualties were reported initially, the militants managed to escape into the dense forests, prompting an extended manhunt.
In subsequent days, security forces intensified their search efforts, deploying advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, UAVs, and sniffer dogs. The operation was bolstered by reinforcements from the Indian Army, National Security Guard, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and Special Operations Group of the Jammu & Kashmir Police. Helicopters and bulletproof vehicles were also mobilized to track down the militants.
Renewed Clashes and Casualties
On March 27, contact was re-established with the militants in Juthana village of Kathua district. This encounter proved deadly as four policemen lost their lives while two militants affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit were killed. The slain militants were suspected to be Pakistani nationals equipped with sophisticated weapons such as M4 carbines and grenades.
The operation continued into Monday when another gunfight erupted in the Ramkot area of Kathua district. Three militants were trapped in the upper reaches of this remote region as reinforcements arrived at the site. This marked the third encounter in Kathua within nine days, underscoring the heightened threat level in the area.
Community Involvement and Arrests
Local residents played a crucial role by providing information about suspicious activities. For instance, a woman reported seeing two men dressed in Army uniforms asking for water in her village, leading to intensified searches. Authorities detained six members of a family accused of aiding militants during their escape from Sanyal village to Jakhole forests.
In total, 13 individuals have been taken into custody for allegedly supporting the militants by providing logistical assistance or shelter. Among them is an overground worker previously jailed for facilitating an attack on an Army convoy last year.
The visuals from the #KathuaEncounter showcase the bravery and patriotism of the people of Jammu Kashmir. They stood united with our security forces, demonstrating their commitment to peace and rejecting Pakistan's destabilizing agenda. pic.twitter.com/SJmfNcGZTm
— Thakur Abhi (@ThakurAbhi3880) March 29, 2025
Security Measures and Ongoing Operations
The operation has been named “Safiyan” by the Jammu & Kashmir Police deputy inspector of the Kathua Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, who assured that it would continue until every militant is neutralized. Security agencies have placed Kathua on high alert, tightening surveillance along critical routes such as the Jammu-Pathankot national highway and border roads.
Efforts have also been made to secure nearby regions amid concerns that militants might attempt to infiltrate further into Jammu's interior areas or cross into sensitive zones, like Udhampur and Doda. The ongoing combing operations are being led by senior officers, including the Jammu & Kashmir director general of police, Nalin Prabhat.
In the wake of the recent encounter in Kathua Kulgam Police have heightened security measures along the National Highway conducting continuous vehicle checks to prevent any untoward incidents. Advanced technology is being installed to enhance surveillance scanning operations pic.twitter.com/5Esu8N51eI
— Kashmir Images (@DKashmirimages) April 2, 2025
Impact and Broader Implications
The recent surge in militant activity has raised alarms about increasing infiltration attempts along the international border. Analysts attribute this escalation to anti-terror operations pushing militants from Kashmir valley into mountainous regions where they regroup before launching attacks on security forces.
The Union minister of state at the PMO, Jitendra Singh Rana, expressed concerns over these developments while mourning the deaths of civilians and police personnel caught in militant violence earlier this month. The Union home secretary, Govind Mohan, had visited Jammu on March 9 to review security arrangements ahead of major events, like the Amarnath Yatra scheduled for July.
At the time of publishing this report, operations are still underway in Kathua’s forested areas amid sporadic exchanges of gunfire. Security forces remain resolute in their mission to eliminate all threats and restore peace to this volatile region.
