Fog season prompts intensified security in hilly areas of Kathua

With the onset of the foggy season, security forces, including the Army and police, have intensified their vigil in the mountainous and hilly areas of Kathua district, which are considered potential safe havens for terrorists after infiltration into Indian territory.

While Kathua’s plains share the International Border (IB) with Pakistan, its hilly terrain connects with several districts of the Jammu region and Himachal Pradesh, making it a preferred infiltration route for Pakistan-trained terrorists. The district also borders Udhampur and Doda, where dense forest cover provides shelter to militants. In recent weeks, senior officials of the Army and police have visited forested areas of Kathua, directing ground troops to focus on these vulnerable belts, particularly during the foggy season, when visibility is reduced. General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Rising Star Corps, Lieutenant General Rajan Sharawat, on Saturday reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in the Machhedi sector of Kathua. “The GOC commended their professionalism and commitment towards safeguarding the nation,” an official said.

Kathua’s forest areas have witnessed multiple encounters and gunfights between security forces and terrorists in recent years. Security agencies have also devised region-specific strategies to counter militant activity.

Heavily armed terrorists have been sighted in areas bordering Udhampur and Kathua districts in recent times, triggering concern among security forces. While it remains unclear whether these militants are part of freshly infiltrated groups or had entered earlier, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police and the Army have further tightened surveillance.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Mohita Sharma on Friday visited the Billawar and Malhar areas, where terror incidents were reported earlier this year. The security review was conducted as part of the winter strategy to assess operational preparedness.

Troops have also been directed to conduct Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) in villages located close to forest areas to ascertain the presence of any anti-national elements. In several past incidents, terrorists had entered villagers’ homes seeking food and shelter

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Courtesy: The Tribune -29-Dec-2025