Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, April 13 

Security forces launched extensive search operations in parts of Kathua and Samba districts after reports of suspicious movement, officials said on Monday.

Joint teams of Police, the Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out searches in forested areas of Rajbagh and Ramkote in Kathua district after locals reported sighting two armed individuals.

Operations were underway in the Soffain forest stretch as well as Barota, Aglidhar, and adjoining areas, officials said, adding that reinforcements had been deployed to widen the search.

In a separate operation, security forces continued searches in parts of Samba district for a second day following reports of movement near the International Border.

The activity was first reported on Saturday night near Pangdour, while police special operations group personnel later detected suspicious movement in nearby forest areas during the night of April 11-12, officials said.

The suspects fled after being challenged, prompting additional deployments by Police, the Army, and the Border Security Force (BSF).

Search operations in the Pangdour, SIDCO forest and adjoining areas, including the Basantar stream, were ongoing, but no contact had been established with the suspects so far, officials said.

There was no immediate indication of any militant activity, and investigations were continuing.