Kathua Police Bust Three Terrorist Hideouts in Massive Joint Operation

KATHUA, January 16, 2026 — In a major breakthrough for regional security, the Kathua Police, in coordination with joint security forces, successfully busted three terrorist hideouts in the Billawar area of Kathua district.

The operation followed reliable intelligence regarding the movement of anti-national elements within the dense forest regions of Kamaad Nallah, Kalaban, and Dhanu Parole. During the initial phase of the mission on January 7, security forces engaged in a fierce overnight exchange of fire after being targeted by indiscriminate shooting from unidentified terrorists.

The ongoing search operation led to the discovery of the first hideout, which contained critical logistical supplies and evidence of militant presence. Recovered items included empty M4 cartridges, a tarpaulin sheet, blankets, hand gloves, and various food items such as almonds and desi ghee.

These findings provided essential leads for the joint teams to expand their search deeper into the rugged terrain of the Billawar sector to neutralize the remaining threats.Building on the momentum of the initial discovery, joint teams busted two additional hideouts today, January 16, in the Kalikhad and Kalaban areas.

These locations yielded a significant cache of survival and communication equipment, including a cooking gas cylinder, utensils, charger wires, torches, and large quantities of bedding. The nature of the recovered materials suggests the hideouts were being used as long-term transit points for insurgent activities in the region.

Mohita Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua, confirmed that the massive search operation remains underway as security forces continue to comb the forest for any remaining suspects.

She reiterated that the Kathua Police remain fully committed to maintaining peace and dismantling any infrastructure used by anti-national elements to disrupt security in the district.