Kathua, Jan 16: Kathua Police, in coordination with other security forces, have busted three militant hideouts in the Billawar area of Kathua district during an ongoing joint search operation, officials said.
According to police, on January 7, 2025, specific intelligence inputs were received regarding the movement of anti-national elements in the forest areas of Kamad Nallah, Kalaban and Dhanu Parole in Billawar. Acting on the information, joint teams of security forces launched an extensive search operation in the area.
During the operation, police said unknown militants opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces, leading to an exchange of fire that continued throughout the night. No casualties were reported during the encounter.
During the initial phase of the search operation, one hideout was detected, from which several items were recovered. These included two M4 empty cartridges, a plastic box containing desi ghee, a polythene packet of almonds, hand gloves, a cap, a blanket, a tarpaulin sheet, a small pouch and a polythene bag.
In continuation of the operation, on January 16, 2026, joint teams busted two more hideouts in the Kalikhad and Kalaban areas of Billawar. From these hideouts, security forces recovered a cooking gas cylinder, cooking oil, charger wire, hand gloves, cooking and eating utensils, an empty oil gallon, large plastic bags, a torch, blankets, a container, wrappers of eatables and other miscellaneous items.
Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua, Ms Mohita Sharma, said that the search operation is still underway and additional areas are being combed to rule out the presence of any further hideouts.
She said Kathua Police, along with other security agencies, remains fully committed to maintaining peace and security in the district. (CNS)
