Operation to track down militants enters second day in J&K

Security forces today intensified search operations to track down two heavily-armed militants, who infiltrated in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir and fired at a police party.

The militants dressed in combat gear are believed to have infiltrated through the Pahadpur belt of Kathua sector and came in contact with a police party around 10pm yesterday at Chabe Chak Nursery in the district, police officials said today.

The militants fired at the security forces who returned the fire. After a brief fire exchange of fire, the ultras took shelter in Chabe Chak Nursery along Ujh river. The entire area was then cordoned off till 2350 hours last night, they said.

The operation, in which army, police, special operation group (SoG) and Territorial Army (TA) battalion is taking part, resumed this morning, the officials said.

The operation team could not find the militants in the area and the area of operation has been expanded, they said.

The militants had earlier beaten up a local Balvinder Singh and demanded from him the keys of his motorcycle at Harya Chak. They also snatched the cycle of a farmer Tarseem Lal.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP), Kathua, Gareeb Dass said, "During search operation no militant was found and only their foot prints were found".

Security has been stepped up in Jammu division and additional check posts setup along the Jammu-Pathankot Highway.