JAMMU: A gunfight between security forces and terrorists was reported Tuesday evening in Assar of J&K’s Doda district, signalling the spread of terrorism to previously unaffected areas in the Jammu region.
Assar, located about 91km from Doda town via NH244 and 40km from Patnitop in Udhampur district, has remained untouched by terrorist violence this summer.The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the gunfight on social media: “Operations are in progress.” No fatalities were reported.
With Independence Day celebrations approaching, security forces are on high alert. Surveillance has been heightened along Jammu-Pathankot national highway, and BSF has intensified patrols along the Pakistan border from Kathua to Akhnoor to prevent terrorist infiltration.
GOC-in-Chief Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar visited forward locations in Doda and Kishtwar districts Tuesday, urging officers to maintain the momentum of anti-terrorism operations to ensure a peaceful Independence Day.
The Assar shootout followed a string of attacks in Jammu region, beginning with the killing of nine people during an ambush on a pilgrim bus in Reasi district on June 9. Subsequent attacks in Kathua and Doda districts claimed the lives of 11 security personnel, including 10 Army soldiers and one CRPF constable.
A brief shootout occurred on Aug 6 in the jungles of Basantgarh in Udhampur district. The Udhampur-Samba-Kathua region, with its thick forests and mountainous terrain, offers terrorists ample cover to evade detection. Terrorists crossing the Pakistan border have used the Bani-Basantgarh route from Kathua as a conduit to enter Doda and proceed to Kashmir Valley.
Assar, located about 91km from Doda town via NH244 and 40km from Patnitop in Udhampur district, has remained untouched by terrorist violence this summer.The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the gunfight on social media: “Operations are in progress.” No fatalities were reported.
With Independence Day celebrations approaching, security forces are on high alert. Surveillance has been heightened along Jammu-Pathankot national highway, and BSF has intensified patrols along the Pakistan border from Kathua to Akhnoor to prevent terrorist infiltration.
GOC-in-Chief Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar visited forward locations in Doda and Kishtwar districts Tuesday, urging officers to maintain the momentum of anti-terrorism operations to ensure a peaceful Independence Day.
The Assar shootout followed a string of attacks in Jammu region, beginning with the killing of nine people during an ambush on a pilgrim bus in Reasi district on June 9. Subsequent attacks in Kathua and Doda districts claimed the lives of 11 security personnel, including 10 Army soldiers and one CRPF constable.
A brief shootout occurred on Aug 6 in the jungles of Basantgarh in Udhampur district. The Udhampur-Samba-Kathua region, with its thick forests and mountainous terrain, offers terrorists ample cover to evade detection. Terrorists crossing the Pakistan border have used the Bani-Basantgarh route from Kathua as a conduit to enter Doda and proceed to Kashmir Valley.