Security forces have launched a search operation in the border belt of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district following a tip about the presence of suspected individuals. The operation was initiated on Monday after a resident of Nowshera alerted local police about spotting three suspects the previous night. A similar search operation is also underway in the forest belt of the neighboring Poonch district.

According to officials, security agencies are not taking any chances given the prevailing situation in the region. Both operations continued through the late hours of Monday, with joint teams of security forces involved in the extensive search efforts. The forces are scanning every nook and corner of the region to ensure that no untoward incident occurs.

The heightened security measures and search operations come in the wake of recent Indo-Pak hostilities after the Pahalgam terror attack. Security forces have intensified patrolling and are conducting routine search operations in vulnerable areas near forests along the border and adjoining places.

Just last week, similar searches were carried out in a forested area of the Samba district based on inputs regarding the presence of three terror suspects. Acting on the alerts from locals, joint teams of police and paramilitary forces cordoned off the forests of Nangal, Chilladanga, Goran, and nearby areas late on May 16. Prior to that, on May 15, similar operations were conducted in the Reasi and Samba districts following tip-offs about some suspects.

In Jammu, the J&K Police's South Zone, led by SP South Jammu Ajay Sharma, has been actively patrolling key public spaces to ensure public safety and strengthen community-police relations. SP Sharma emphasized the importance of citizens staying alert and reporting any suspicious activity they observe. According to a police official, the objective of these patrols is to assess the local security environment and foster a sense of trust and shared responsibility between law enforcement and the public.

These operations are part of a broader effort by joint forces, including the army, police, and security forces, to conduct aggressive operations against terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers across Jammu and Kashmir. Recent operations have resulted in significant successes, including the killing of six terrorists in two separate encounters in Shopian and Pulwama districts the previous week. Among those killed was the operational commander of the LeT.

The increased vigilance and proactive measures by security forces underscore their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region, especially in the aftermath of recent terror incidents and ongoing threats. The cooperation of local residents in providing timely information remains crucial to the success of these operations.