Kathua has emerged as a new hotspot for terrorism after the recent gunbattle between the forces and terrorists. Kathua district comes under the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It is strategically significant due to its proximity to International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC). Kathua poses a continuous threat of cross-border infiltration due to its geographical location. The district is covered with dense forest and rugged terrain providing convenient hiding spots for the terrorists. These topographical issues lead to difficulty in monitoring cross-border movement.
The Jammu region has been relatively subdued during the past three decades with minimum terrorist activities. However, since last year, the area has experienced a surge in armed conflicts between the terrorists and security forces. Multiple incidents, such as the ambush of an army vehicle on July 8th, 2024 in Kathua resulting in the martyrdom of five soldiers and the subsequent gunfight between army personnel and suspected insurgents, demonstrate how terrorism has now suddenly become a prime concern for the region.
INCIDENT OVERVIEW
Another recent incident in March 2025 reiterates this new trend and concern. On March 23rd, the security forces were informed by the locals about the movement of militants along the Sanyal village of Kathua district, located near India-Pakistan border. According to the officials, the militants exploited thick forest cover to infiltrate the region. A brutal gunbattle took place the same day between the forces and infiltrators, where a girl was also injured in the cross firing. However, terrorists succeeded in escaping, which led to intense search operations. In the subsequent days, arms and ammunitions like M4 carbine, grenades, bullet proof jackets and sleeping bags were recovered. In this operation, Drones were also deployed along the border for high-quality surveillance. Multiple agencies like Army, NSG, BSF and CRPF collaborated with police forces for joint operations. After reported sighting of two men in ‘Army’ uniform by a local woman, the search operation was extended to several kilometers covering the Dinga Amb area and Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in the Samba-Kathua section.
Another encounter which lasted for more than 20 hours, took place on March 27th where four police personnels were martyred and two terrorists were killed. The terrorists killed are believed to be the suspects linked to the banned terrorist organization ‘Jaish-e-Mohammed’ (JeM). People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an undercover group of JeM also claimed the responsibility for this act. This encounter is significant as the forces launched “Operation Sufiyan”, a massive search operation in the Reasi District.
In continuation of the operations, on April 1st the security forces in Kathua district had their third encounter with the militants. Officials reported that approximately three terrorists were hiding in the forest region. The Police are committed to continue their operations until all terrorists are neutralised.
ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES
Security weaknesses like gaps in fencing, challenging terrain and dense forest along the IB create opportunities for the terrorists to cross the border. An area of concern is the stretch between Ravi River and the Shakargarh Bulge which lies along the India-Pakistan IB in the southern sector of Jammu and Punjab. This area is strategically sensitive as it includes rugged terrain and dense vegetation, providing easy escape for terrorists. These harsh landscapes generate difficulties for the security forces to build continuous fencing and maintain a regular surveillance along the IB, a situation exploited by the terrorists to infiltrate undetected. It is suspected by the police that infiltrators potentially used a newly constructed tunnel to cross the border.
In recent years, there has been a strategic shift of redeploying the forces and focusing more on the India-China border. This re-deployment was a result of the Galwan Valley Clash of 2020 and the subsequent escalation of tension which led to relocation of Indian troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This relocation has led to weakening of surveillance across the western borders potential security gaps with high chances of militants crossing the border. There remains a significant military presence along the India-Pakistan border, however, the redistribution reflects India’s strategic balancing act which is crucial for cross border security.
Kathua’s location is vital due to its geographical positioning. It is referred to as ‘Gateway of Jammu and Kashmir’ because it lies in the southernmost tip of the Union Territory, connecting it with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Kathua-Lakhanpur National Highway connects the Kashmir Valley with rest of the northern India, providing transportation of essential goods and people. However, district’s proximity to the India-Pakistan border makes it susceptible to terrorist acts resulting in major disruptions with roadblocks and checkpoints along the national highway, interrupting day-to-day flow of goods and people which is essential for the larger economy.
The officials have been seeking help from the locals and expects them to report any suspicious movement. While interacting with the reporters, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the importance of support from the people. The terrorists, after crossing the border, take the assistance of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) to sustain their lives. The intelligence sources reported that militants generally reach out to the local population for food, water and shelter and to OGW to help them with supplies in dense forest. Therefore, local support has dual aspects: it can aid in the detection of suspicious activities and militant organisations, while simultaneously intensifying terrorism in the region.
In conclusion, the security issues along the India-Pakistan IB persist as a significant concern due to challenging terrain, limited fencing and changing military priorities. India’s strategic realignment seeks to mitigate threats across multiple fronts while simultaneously generating vulnerabilities that require management. The geographical significance of Kathua heightens the necessity for attention, as disturbances impact both economic stability and national security. Enhanced cooperation between security personnel and local populations will be crucial in preventing infiltration and mitigating extremist activity. A comprehensive approach employing technology, infrastructural enhancements, and intelligence-sharing is essential to strengthen border security and safeguard national interests.
Hey, awesome work on this article you’ve really captured the growing tension in Kathua with so much detail, and it hits home how serious things are getting! I like how you’ve dug into the cross-border issues and those recent incidents.