Rajouri: A large-scale anti-terror operation in the Dori Mal forest area of Rajouri entered its fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, with security forces intensifying efforts to track down suspected militants believed to be hiding in the dense terrain.
Officials said multiple security agencies remain engaged in the operation, which has expanded across forested stretches amid difficult ground conditions and heightened surveillance activity.
The search mission is being supported by drones, helicopters and advanced monitoring equipment to scan remote areas and identify possible militant movement inside the forests.
Security personnel have maintained a tight cordon around the region while carrying out systematic searches through rugged terrain and thick vegetation.
Sources said intermittent explosions during the operation triggered fires in parts of the forest area, with smoke continuing to rise from certain sections as forces pressed ahead with combing operations.
Authorities suspect that the militants may be using the dense forest cover to evade capture, prompting security teams to rely heavily on aerial reconnaissance and electronic surveillance systems.
Additional reinforcements have reportedly been deployed to prevent any escape routes and strengthen the ongoing operation.
While officials have not disclosed the exact number of militants believed to be trapped in the area, the prolonged operation indicates the seriousness of the security response.
The Rajouri region has witnessed several anti-terror operations in recent years due to militant activity in the hilly and forested belt near the Pir Panjal range. Security forces have repeatedly intensified surveillance and area domination exercises in vulnerable zones to curb infiltration and militant movement.