Sanjay Manhas, Chairman of the National Anti Terrorism and Peace Front, on Monday said that while the Indian Army is playing a vital role in protecting the country from terrorist activities along the borders, safeguarding the nation from internal threats requires collective responsibility and strong institutions.

In a press statement, Manhas said the armed forces have made immense sacrifices to ensure national security and have successfully countered cross-border terrorism, allowing citizens to live in peace.

However, he expressed concern over challenges emerging from within the country and questioned how the nation could protect itself from individuals and forces operating internally to weaken national unity and social harmony.

“External threats are being effectively handled by our army, but internal dangers such as extremism, divisive forces and anti-national activities cannot be addressed by the armed forces alone,” Manhas said.

He stressed that combating internal threats requires active participation from citizens, civil society, law enforcement agencies and democratic institutions. He added that unity, vigilance and adherence to constitutional values are essential to maintaining peace and stability within the country.

Manhas said national security is a shared responsibility and called upon citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening harmony, peace and the rule of law.

Police on Monday arrested three alleged drug peddlers in two separate operations in Jammu and Kashmir and recovered a quantity of contraband, officials said.

In the first operation, two men were arrested in Shopian district from the Naghard Wachi area, and 58 grams of heroin was recovered from their possession, a police spokesperson said.

A case has been registered against the duo under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway, the spokesperson added.

In a separate incident, police arrested another alleged drug peddler in Pulwama district and recovered a large quantity of contraband from him.

The accused was apprehended from the Nikloora area during routine checking by a police patrol team, the spokesperson said, adding that legal proceedings have been initiated in the case.

Another fierce encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Sonnar village of the Chatroo area in Kishtwar district on Thursday afternoon, leaving eight Army soldiers injured. The operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the upper reaches of the area.

According to reports, an Army team had moved to the Sonnar area to conduct a search operation when terrorists, positioned on higher ground, lobbed two grenades at the troops and opened fire. The soldiers immediately retaliated, triggering a gun battle that continued for some time.

Reinforcements from the Army, paramilitary forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) were rushed to the spot to strengthen the cordon and intensify search operations. The operation continued till late night and was temporarily halted, with plans to resume early Friday morning.

Of the eight injured soldiers, three were airlifted to the Military Hospital in Udhampur for specialized treatment. Their condition is stated to be stable.

Sources said the Army had inputs about the presence of three foreign terrorists belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit in the area. The ongoing operation has been named ‘Operation Trashi-I’ by the Army’s Nagrota-based White Knight Corps.

In a post on X, the White Knight Corps stated that contact was established with terrorists in the general area of Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a deliberate joint search operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police. Additional forces have been inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies.

Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones and sniffer dogs, has been deployed to track down the terrorists and prevent their escape through the dense forests and hilly terrain.

This is the third encounter in the Jammu region this year. Earlier encounters were reported in the Kahog and Najote forests of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively. Security operations have been further intensified ahead of Republic Day celebrations to ensure peace and thwart any terror attempts.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said that displaced Kashmiri Pandits are always welcome to return to their homeland, asserting that the Valley is as much their home as anyone else’s. However, he expressed doubts about the practicality of their permanent return, considering that many have established new lives across different parts of the country.

His remarks came on January 19, observed by the displaced community as ‘Holocaust Day’, marking their exodus from the Valley in 1990 following threats and killings by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day party programme, Abdullah pointed out that several Kashmiri Pandit families never left Kashmir and continue to live peacefully in their villages and localities.

“When will they return? Who is stopping them? No one is preventing them. They should come back because it is their home,” he said, adding that many members of the community are already living in the Valley without any obstruction.

Commenting on the protests by Kashmiri Pandits under the banner of ‘Youth 4 Panun Kashmir’, who blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway near the Jagti camp demanding a separate homeland and parliamentary recognition of their genocide, Abdullah said he had earlier assured them of housing and necessary support.

He stated that after the fall of his government, the responsibility to implement such proposals rested with the Central government. Abdullah also observed that the displaced community would have to assess the present situation realistically, as many Pandits are now settled in other states.

“They have grown older, many require medical treatment, and their children are studying or working outside. They may visit Kashmir, but I do not think many will return to live there permanently,” he added.

An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Leh district of Ladakh on Monday, causing brief panic among residents in the region.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremor occurred at 11:51 am (IST). The epicentre was located in the Leh region, and the earthquake originated at a depth of 171 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface.

Due to the considerable depth of the quake, the impact on the surface remained limited. There were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property from any part of the district.

Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, and disaster management teams remain on alert as a precautionary measure. Residents were advised to remain calm and follow standard safety protocols in case of aftershocks.

Ladakh falls in a seismically active zone and frequently experiences mild to moderate tremors. Authorities have reiterated the importance of earthquake preparedness and awareness in the region.