Security forces on Friday busted three terrorist hideouts in the Billawar area of Kathua district during a joint operation, police said.
A senior police officer said the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of terrorists in the forest area of Kamaad Nallah in Billawar. Joint teams of Kathua Police and other security forces cordoned off the area and began a search operation.
During the operation, terrorists opened fire on the security forces, triggering an exchange of fire that continued through the night. However, the terrorists managed to escape under the cover of darkness, the officer said.
During the search, one terrorist hideout was detected, from where the security forces recovered two empty M4 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.
The officer said that in continuation of the operation, two more terrorist hideouts were busted on January 16, 2026, in the Kalikhad and Kalaban areas of Billawar. Items recovered from these hideouts included a cooking gas cylinder, cooking oil, charger wire, hand gloves, cooking and eating utensils, an empty oil gallon, large plastic bags, a torch, blankets, containers and wrappers of eatables, along with other miscellaneous items.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Mohita Sharma said the search operation is still underway and security forces remain on high alert in the area.
“The police and other security forces are committed to maintaining peace and security in the district. The operation will continue until the area is fully sanitised,” she said.
