Encounter Continues in Kathua’s Kamadh Nullah Amid Challenging Conditions

Srinagar: An intense encounter between security forces and a group of armed militants in the Kamadh Nullah area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district continued through Wednesday, with forces maintaining pressure despite unforgiving terrain and deteriorating conditions.

The operation, which began early in the day after contact was established, has stretched into the evening as personnel navigate dense vegetation, steep gradients and limited visibility.

Officials indicated that while the option of pausing the operation overnight was being considered to prevent collateral damage, the security grid around the area has been further tightened. Additional reinforcements are being deployed to ensure the militants—believed to be cornered—are denied any escape route from the cordoned-off zone.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone noted in a post on X that the Special Operations Group (SOG) continues to engage the militants relentlessly despite the darkness and treacherous surroundings. He confirmed that Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) teams have also joined the joint operation, strengthening the multi-layered response on the ground.

The encounter was triggered after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants in the region. The situation escalated when the militants opened fire, prompting immediate retaliatory action from the forces.

Police sources revealed that around 4 pm, a militant was spotted by local residents near Kamadh Nullah in the Billawar police station jurisdiction. Preliminary assessments suggest it may be the same individual who was reportedly seen earlier in the day in the Dhannu Parole area, indicating possible movement through the forested belt.