Jammu l
In the shadow of tall trees and dry shrubs of a nursery in Sanyal village, Kathua district, a quiet Sunday turned into a full-blown gunbattle. As security forces closed in on suspected infiltrators, a flurry of bullets broke the uneasy calm of this small village barely five kilometers from the International Border.
The terrorists, believed to have crossed over from Pakistan on Saturday using a tunnel or the rugged ravine route, were hiding inside what locals call a dhok — an enclosure used for livestock or firewood. The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police moved in based on a tip-off. As they stepped into the nursery, they were greeted by a volley of bullets.
The encounter, which lasted for over 30 minutes, did not result in any immediate casualties among the security forces, but left a trail of tension, fear, and one injured child — a seven-year-old girl, who was rushed to a hospital.
Locals Caught in the Crossfire
The attack wasn’t just on the uniformed forces. Anita Devi, a local woman, shared her ordeal:
“The men had beards and guns. They caught my husband when we were in the nursery. One of them asked me to come near. My husband signalled me to run. I screamed, and a few villagers nearby came running. Only then could I escape.”
Five men, armed and hiding, had clearly planned this for days. According to reports, two groups of five to six terrorists each may have entered Indian territory, raising alarm bells within security corridors.
District Development Council member Karan Kumar described the scene as something from a warzone —
“Around 250 rounds were fired. The village is under complete fear.”
Strategic Shift: Kathua Under Watch
Once considered relatively calm, Kathua has now become a transit zone for terrorists aiming to reach higher regions of Doda, Kishtwar, and eventually Kashmir. Over the last year, infiltration patterns have shifted, bypassing heavily patrolled regions like Poonch and Rajouri in favor of southern routes.
Official data for 2024 paints a disturbing picture:
-
44 people killed across Jammu region, including
-
18 security personnel
-
13 terrorists
-
Remaining civilians
-
-
9 deaths each in Doda, Reasi, and Kathua
-
Incidents of terror expanded to 6 districts beyond Rajouri and Poonch
Earlier this month, Kathua had witnessed widespread protests after five mysterious deaths in Billawar tehsil, including teenager Varun Singh and two of his uncles who went missing after attending a wedding. While that case was ruled as accidental drowning, locals remain unconvinced and discontent simmers.
On February 16, two more bodies — Shamsher and Roshan — were found strangled in another village in Kathua. Locals allege administrative inaction.
Security Forces Intensify Search
With Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat personally monitoring the ongoing search operation and IX Corps of the Indian Army coordinating with ground teams, Kathua remains under a tight security grid. Reinforcements have sealed off the nursery and adjoining areas. Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and drone surveillance have been deployed.
Army officials have confirmed that the area is being combed inch by inch. Meanwhile, villagers have been advised to remain indoors and not engage with suspicious persons or pick up any unidentified items.
A Wake-Up Call
Kathua’s shift from a border town to a potential terror gateway is not just a matter of national security — it’s a humanitarian concern. Women like Anita Devi, and children like the injured seven-year-old, are unwilling participants in a conflict that continues to find new routes and new victims.
As bullets continue to echo in the nursery-turned-battlefield, the question remains — how prepared are we, not just militarily, but socially and emotionally, to protect our citizens from the trauma that comes uninvited with every shadow crossing the border?
