Srinagar: Indian forces have extended their intensive cordon and search operation in the Kathua district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir into its third consecutive day. The operation, which began on the night of March 23 in the Hiranagar area, follows a reported firing incident during the ongoing search efforts by Indian forces.

Local authorities confirmed the occurrence of a firing incident in Hiranagar as the search operation progressed. The operation has seen the deployment of Indian army commandos, drones, and sniffer dogs to aid in the search.

Officials stated that arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the operation. “The entire forested area has been surrounded,” a police officer noted, indicating the scale of the security efforts.

Analysts have observed a trend of increased operations in the region over the past few years, particularly in the Pir Panjal area, which geographically divides the Kashmir Valley from Jammu. These operations are seen as part of broader security measures in the territory.