In the wake of four terror attacks over the past three days, Jammu and Kashmir police have initiated a large-scale manhunt, releasing sketches of five suspects and announcing a Rs 40 lakh reward for information leading to their arrest. The attacks, which have resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, have intensified the region’s security situation, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
On Wednesday evening, a policeman was injured when terrorists opened fire on a search party in a village in the Gandoh area of Doda district. This incident marked the second terror-related activity in Doda within 24 hours and the fourth in Jammu and Kashmir over three days. The attack occurred in the Kota top area of Bhalesa around 7.40 p.m., prompting a retaliatory response from security forces. Reinforcements were dispatched to strengthen the cordon as intermittent gunfire continued.
The preceding day, June 11, was particularly violent. In the evening, terrorists attacked five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer at Chattargalla Pass, injuring all six. Later that night, security forces engaged and killed a suspected Pakistani terrorist in Kathua district. The encounter, which lasted overnight, ended with the death of a second terrorist on June 12, but also claimed the life of a CRPF jawan.
Further adding to the violence, terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims on June 9 in Reasi, causing it to plunge into a deep gorge. The attack resulted in nine deaths and left 41 injured.
Amid these escalating tensions, police in Samba district recovered a small drone from the terrace of a local resident’s house on June 12. Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba, Vinay Sharma, stated that while the drone appeared to be a toy with limited range, a forensic examination would be conducted to determine its origins and purpose.
In response to these events, Jammu and Kashmir Police released sketches of four terrorists believed to be operating in the upper reaches of Bhaderwah, Thathri, and Gandoh. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been offered for information leading to their capture, with Rs 5 lakh allocated per terrorist. Additionally, a sketch of a terrorist involved in the Reasi bus attack has been released, with a separate Rs 20 lakh reward for information on his whereabouts.
Authorities have issued an ‘alert advisory’ in the Jammu region, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or objects. Residents of Jammu and Rajouri have been specifically advised to thoroughly inspect their vehicles before use. Security advisories have also been disseminated via police vehicles equipped with loudspeakers, particularly in Akhnoor and Jammu areas.
This heightened state of alert follows intelligence reports indicating a terror threat in Rajouri and Jammu districts. Police have provided contact numbers for officers in Jammu and Samba districts, encouraging the public to report any potential terror-related concerns promptly.
Search and combing operations are ongoing in the Poonch, Rajouri, and Reasi districts as security forces work to apprehend the terrorists and prevent further attacks.
These recent attacks have resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, including a CRPF jawan and two terrorists, and injuries to 48 people, including seven security personnel, underscoring the volatile security situation in the region.
