Security forces launched a search operation in over a dozen villages near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Saturday.
The joint operation by the Army and police in the Gursai area of Mendhar subdivision is being carried out as part of stepped-up security in the border villages ahead of Independence Day.
The security forces cordoned off over a dozen villages, including Salwah, Sarooti, Gursai Top, Sanai, Keri Kanga and Terkhara, and launched a search operation. The operation was still underway when the last reports were received.
This comes after Additional Director General of Police (Jammu Zone) Mukesh Singh chaired a high-level joint security meeting in Jammu on August 9 and called for “offensive operations”, especially in the Rajouri-Poonch and Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban ranges, to thwart possible terror attacks.
The security agencies were also asked to maintain a high level of alertness and strengthen border security and the highway grid.
The search operation in Poonch is a part of the security forces’ efforts to prevent terrorists from carrying out any attacks on Independence Day. The security forces are also on high alert in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Kashmir Valley.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir are looking forward to celebrating Independence Day with full gaiety and enthusiasm. They are hopeful that the security forces will be able to thwart any attempts by terrorists to disrupt the celebrations.
