Jammu: Security forces across Jammu region remained on high alert on Tuesday after a Village Defence Guard (VDG) opened fire following suspicious movement in Rajouri district, while separate cordon and search operations were launched in Poonch and Kishtwar amid inputs about possible terrorist presence.
Officials said a VDG fired around half-a-dozen rounds in the air on Tuesday evening after noticing suspicious movement by an unidentified person in village Dali of the Kalakote area in Rajouri district. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Police and security forces immediately rushed to the spot after hearing the gunshots and carried out a search operation in the area. However, nothing suspicious was found during the subsequent searches, officials said.
Meanwhile, a suspected Pakistani drone was sighted hovering briefly over the Phulpur area near the International Border in Samba district late Tuesday evening. Officials said the drone intruded into Indian territory for a short duration before returning across the border. A precautionary search of the area was conducted, but no incriminating material was recovered.
In a separate development, security forces launched extensive cordon and search operations in the border areas and mountainous hinterland of Poonch and Kishtwar districts as part of intensified anti-terror measures. Acting on intelligence inputs regarding the possible presence of two terrorist groups in the Doda–Kishtwar forest belt, troops carried out searches in the Keshwan–Chatroo valley.
Officials said drones and other aerial surveillance equipment were deployed to monitor the difficult terrain in an effort to track down the suspected militants. According to reports, two groups of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, comprising two to three operatives each, are believed to be operating in the area, which has witnessed encounters in the past.
The Army’s Romeo Force also conducted search operations at Khanetar Top along the Indo-Pak border in Poonch and adjoining areas following reports of suspicious movement. Troops were assisted by aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs during the operation.
Security has also been tightened along the Pathankot–Jammu–Srinagar national highway, with intensified vehicle checking in Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Udhampur districts ahead of New Year celebrations. Officials said the border security grid has been further strengthened, with Village Defence Guards and border police activated along the Indo-Pak border in view of possible infiltration attempts.
