Massive searches in different areas of Jammu region

Security forces today launched a massive joint search operation in Mendhar sector of Poonch district after noticing suspicious movement near a tunnel under construction, officials said.

A security guard, who was on duty at the construction site, noticed the suspicious movement and fired three to four rounds of fire as a precautionary measure.

No loss of life or damage to property has been reported so far, the officials said.

Following the incident, a joint search operation was launched around 6 am by personnel of police, special operation group and CRPF in the forest areas of Bhatadurian, Sangiot and adjoining areas, they said.

Further details are awaited, they said.

Meanwhile, a video purportedly showing four suspects scaling Ramtund Peak in Doda district has surfaced, triggering a major anti-terror operation.

However, later it was found that they were porters engaged by security forces.

The Ramtund area lies close to the Seoj Dhar belt of the Udhampur district, a remote and heavily forested mountainous region used by terrorists as a route for movement and, at times, as a hideout. The difficult terrain, dense forests and connectivity with adjoining mountain areas have made the belt strategically sensitive from a security perspective.

According to official sources, some locals captured the footage and alerted the security forces late Monday afternoon. They added that the latest sighting has triggered a major search operation, with security forces combing the surrounding forests, ridgelines and mountain tracks to track down the suspected group.