Indian forces step up CASOs in Kathua, 22 youth detained during house raids
Jammu: Indian forces have continued cordon and search operations in Kathua district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the operation by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) was conducted on Wednesday in Kahog and Dhanu Parole–Kamadh areas of Billawar in Kathua district and it continued on Thursday.
Reports said that one youth was martyred by Indian troops during the violent action, while an Indian soldier sustained injuries after being hit by a bullet in the leg.
Meanwhile, personnel of the Indian Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operation Group are continuously conducting search operations and intensifying patrols in different areas of Samba, Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua districts.
A multi-tier security grid comprising the BSF, border police and Village Defence Guards (VDGs) has been put on high alert ahead of India’s Republic Day on January 26.
In the meantime, Counter-Intelligence officials accompanied by paramilitary personnel arrested 22 youth during house raids and search operations, and interrogated several others on the charge of having sympathies with the ongoing freedom struggle and demand for the UN-supervised plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian forces also claimed recovering a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) during a cordon and search operation in the Kallar Thanamandi area of Rajouri district.
