Posters of Suspected Militants Appear Across Kathua as Security Forces Tighten Border Vigil in Jammu Region
Jammu: Security agencies on Sunday circulated posters carrying photographs of five suspected militants across Kathua town and nearby localities, appealing to residents to help track their movements.
The notices urged citizens to immediately alert the Army, CRPF, Police or BSF through a dedicated helpline if they spotted any of the individuals, assuring complete confidentiality for informants.
Police later removed the posters after initial dissemination, but officials indicated the move was part of a wider intelligence-gathering effort.
The step followed a similar initiative by Doda police a day earlier, when they released posters seeking information about a Pakistani militant identified as Saifullah.
Intensified Search Operations Across Jammu Division
For nearly a month, security forces have been conducting extensive combing operations in the mountainous belts of Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Surveillance has also been strengthened along both the International Border and the Line of Control to counter infiltration attempts and narcotics trafficking networks.
To reduce risks in vulnerable areas, Kathua District Magistrate Rajesh Sharma imposed strict movement regulations within five kilometres of the International Border.
Authorities cited the possibility of cross-border firing and the need to prevent anti-national activity as the basis for the order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
Officials stated the border security situation remains sensitive, and restricting civilian movement is necessary for the safety of residents.
Movement Restrictions and Night Transport Ban
Under the directive, unnecessary movement is prohibited in the belt stretching from the BSF’s Paharpur Border Outpost to BOP Karol Krishna.
Heavy vehicles — including trucks, tippers and multi-axle carriers — are barred from using the old Samba-Kathua road between 9 pm and 6 am.
The curbs, effective for 60 days from February 14, expand earlier restrictions that covered only a two-kilometre zone.
Army Reviews Counter-Terror Grid
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps visited Kishtwar to assess operational readiness and review counter-terror deployment.
Accompanied by the commander of the Counter-Insurgency Force (Delta), he was briefed on current threats and measures being taken to strengthen coordination among agencies.
Recent encounters highlight the heightened tension in the region. Four Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed militants have been killed in operations — one near Billawar in Kathua on January 23 and three others in separate encounters in Udhampur and Kishtwar on February 4.
An Army paratrooper also lost his life during a gunfight in Chatroo on January 18.
Authorities say the multi-layered strategy — public alerts, movement restrictions and military preparedness — aims to prevent infiltration and maintain security across the Jammu border districts.
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