Mon Mar 24 04:34:33 UTC 2025: ## Terrorist Hunt Underway in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir
**Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, March 24, 2025** – A major counter-terrorism operation is underway in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, following intelligence reports of a group of infiltrating terrorists. The operation, now in its second day, involves commandos, drones, and sniffer dogs, focusing on a dense nursery area near the International Border with Pakistan where the terrorists are believed to be hiding.
The operation began Sunday after a police encounter. A villager, Anita Devi, reported seeing five heavily armed terrorists who had held her husband at gunpoint. A seven-year-old girl suffered minor injuries from a stray bullet. Heavy gunfire was reported, with estimates of up to 250 rounds exchanged.
Intelligence suggests two groups of five or six terrorists each infiltrated on Saturday, possibly using a ravine or a newly-constructed tunnel. The terrorists are suspected of being responsible for recent unrest in the region.
Kathua has become a significant infiltration route for Pakistan-based terrorists seeking to reach other districts in Jammu and Kashmir, contributing to increased security concerns in the region. Last year saw a significant rise in terrorist activity across several districts in the Jammu region, resulting in 44 deaths, including security personnel and terrorists.
While the operation continues with no reported casualties among security forces so far, the incident has heightened tensions in the area. The ongoing search for the terrorists underscores the persistent security challenges in the region.
First Piper 