Srinagar, July 11( KNS): Days after a terrorist attack claimed the lives of five army personnel in Kathua district, senior officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) and police forces gathered on Thursday in Kathua for a high-level interstate security review meeting.
The attack, believed to have been carried out by terrorists who infiltrated from across the International Border, occurred on Monday on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar mountain road near Badnota village, about 150 km from Kathua's district headquarters.
The ambush resulted in the deaths of five army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, and left five others injured.
The terrorists opened fire on two army vehicles, prompting a swift response from security forces and triggering an extensive manhunt.
The security review meeting was attended by notable officials including Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police R R Swain, his Punjab counterpart Gaurav Yadav, and Special Director General of BSF, Western Command, Y B Khurania. The primary agenda was to assess and fortify the security grid along the International Border to prevent further infiltrations and address any existing vulnerabilities.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) for Jammu and Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, and ADG (Law and Order) for Punjab, Arpit Shukla, along with Inspector General-rank BSF officers from Punjab and Jammu, were also present at the meeting. The officials discussed strategies to enhance border security and improve coordination between the forces.
Officials indicated that the terrorists are suspected to have infiltrated through the International Border, subsequently making their way to the dense forests of Machedi, which links Basantgarh in Udhampur and Bhaderwah in Doda district.
This route has historically been used by militants, particularly during the peak of insurgency over two decades ago.
Although the area was cleared of terrorist presence, the recent attack signifies a troubling resurgence of terrorist activities.
In the aftermath of the ambush, security forces have detained more than 50 individuals for questioning as part of the ongoing manhunt, now entering its fourth day.
Authorities are determined to track down the perpetrators and dismantle any terrorist networks operating in the region.(KNS)