Security forces launch joint op in Udhampur after suspicious movement input

2 terrorists killed in J&K (Representative image)

NEW DELHI: Security forces launched a major search operation in the Majalta area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Thursday following inputs about the suspicious movement of some individuals, officials said.A joint team of the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police is conducting searches in the area, officials said in a statement.The operation comes amid heightened security activity in the Pir Panjal region following the recent busting of an alleged overground worker (OGW) network linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Rajouri.On September 15, Rajouri Police arrested three people in connection with an alleged terror module operating in the Pir Panjal region.

The accused were identified as Zakir Hussain, Mohd Azam, and Mohd Mushtaq, police said.According to police, the three were allegedly involved in providing logistical support, safe transit and other ground-level assistance to terrorists operating in the region.Preliminary investigation found that the accused allegedly worked as guides and helped facilitate the movement of terrorist groups towards the Kashmir Valley, police said.

They were also suspected of providing ground support to terrorists linked to multiple high-profile attacks, including an attack targeting civilians.Police also recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) based on information provided by one of the accused.

According to officials, preliminary findings indicated that the IED had allegedly been handed over to the accused by members of a terrorist group for safe custody and possible use in a targeted attack.The recovery of the IED and the arrests have provided investigators with leads into the wider terror network operating in the region, police said.Rajouri Police are continuing efforts to identify other possible associates and establish the extent of the accused persons’ alleged involvement in the network, officials said.The investigation into the alleged terror module is underway.(Based on inputs from ANI)