Well-stocked kitchens in forest terror hideouts point to prolonged operations in Jammu region

Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, who have been operating in the Kishtwar and Kathua districts in Jammu for more than a year, have set up well-stocked kitchens inside their forest hideouts, indicating prolonged presence and logistical support.

These terrorists seem to be highly trained in jungle warfare and have been escaping after brief gunfights with the security forces.

Advertisement

Security forces have achieved a significant breakthrough in Kishtwar where they busted an underground hideout of JeM terrorists located at an altitude of 12,000 feet in the Singhpura area of Chhatroo on Monday.

The hideout, cleverly carved with multiple entry and exit points, could accommodate over four terrorists at a time and was equipped with essentials like food, cooking gas, desi ghee, cereals, and blankets.Bags full of branded Basmati rice and flour have been recovered from the hideout that is believed to have been used by terrorists who yesterday injured eight soldiers of the special forces, one of whom succumbed today, by lobbying grenades.

The Army, paramilitary forces, and J&K Police have launched a massive operation to flush out Pakistani terrorists from the mountain hideouts in the Jammu region.

The hideout’s discovery comes as security forces continue to cordon off the area, with multiple teams, including the Army, police, and CRPF, supported by drones and sniffer dogs, combing the mountain terrain.

The oolice said two empty M4 cartridges that are used to fire from the US made sophisticated rifle, plastic box with desi ghee, a polythene packet of almonds, hand gloves, a cap, a blanket, a tarpaulin sheet, a small pouch, and a polythene bag were also recovered from the hideout.
Security forces have so far discovered three hideouts also in the Kathua district.

Cooking gas cylinder, cooking oil, a charger wire, hand gloves, cooking and eating utensils, an empty oil gallon, large plastic bags, a torch, blankets, a container, and wrappers of eatables, among other miscellaneous items, were recovered from the hideouts.

Acting on intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the forest region of Kamaad Nallah, Kalaban, and Dhanu Parole in the Billawar area, joint teams launched a search operation.

During this operation, terrorists opened fire on security forces, leading to an exchange of fire that lasted throughout the night