Search operation launched in J&K’s Kathua after villagers report suspicious movement

Security forces launched a search operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Monday after villagers reported suspicious movement in the area, officials said.

A joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Special Operations Group (SOG), the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon and search operation in the Karnadi area to verify the reports and strengthen security.

Search operations along border areas

Security forces have stepped up search and combing operations along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir following earlier reports of suspicious movement, drone sightings and possible infiltration attempts.

Monday’s operation covered the Karnadi and riverine areas of Kathua district after villagers reported spotting suspicious men near the border. Similar alerts about movement along riverine stretches were reported near Ujjah nallah in the Kote Panu and Pundori hamlets.

During October, security alerts and counter-infiltration operations were also issued following suspected Pakistani drone sightings and possible cross-border movements along the LoC in Poonch district.

Previous incidents in Jammu and Kashmir

On August 20, a multi-agency search operation was conducted in the forest areas of Billawar in Kathua district, near the boundary with Udhampur, after reports of suspicious individuals.

On September 3, personnel from the Border Security Force’s (BSF) 44th Battalion apprehended a suspected Pakistani intruder near the International Border in the Kanachak area of Jammu district.

At the beginning of 2026, security forces tracked suspected drone intrusions and intercepted suspicious satellite phone signals, including those associated with Thuraya devices, across Samba, Rajouri and Poonch. These incidents led to controlled firing and operations to recover weapons and narcotics.

(with IANS inputs)