Army to Resume Operations in Kathua's Ridges After Two Decades, Ending Terrorists' ‘Safe Haven’

New Delhi: Roughly two decades after complete withdrawal, Army boots will again make comeback in ridges of Jammu after back-to-back terror attacks in the region. Indian Army's local units along with Elite Para Commandos are being deployed in the key locations of Kathua. The decision was taken after recent terror attack on Indian Army vehicle in Machedi area of Kathua in which five soldiers of Indian Army were killed in action.

The move came after multiple inputs by J&K Police, especially the Special Operations Group (SOG), that terrorists in these areas rush to the heights after carrying out terror attacks as there is no deterrence from the upper side. 

The inputs have been taken seriously by Western Command of Indian Army and forces have been rushed to Kathua; the forces from Valley have also been deployed in Kathua for effective results of the Anti-Terror Operations.

Sources in the Western Command of Indian Army said that decision was taken to strengthen the deployment in the area after Basantgarh terror attack on April 28 when Village Defence Guard (VDG) was killed by terrorists; but now it has been prioritised. 

"The deployment will be done in the ridges in upper reaches of Kathua that connects to Udhampur and Doda district of Jammu. This will not only help to pre-empt terror strikes in the area but will act as force multiplier incase of operations launched from plains towards upper reaches; till the time ridges are empty- they are safe haven for terrorists," he added.

Special forces to be permanently stationed

Another official, of the Special Forces, told Republic that special forces will now be permanently stationed in the region, unlike past. 

"We have established Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) in the Kathua district's upper ridges; they are less in numbers but are part of regular Army deployment to strengthen their operations. And the aerial support is kept on standby all the time for round the clock movement of troops to the operation area in Jammu International Border falling under 09 Corps of Indian Army," he added.

Sources informed Republic that Machedi in Kathua had not seen any terror-related violence since 2000 when police posts were burnt in the area and some locals crossed over to Pakistani terror training camps, and village defense committees were armed for self-defense in the region. 

A government contractor was gunned down by terrorists in 2000 and was the last major terrorist incident that locals recall after two decades. The Army bases in the area, once active, was slowly scaled down, and finally, forces were withdrawn from the area while Village Defense Committees saw their arms and ammunition dwindle; the move was objected by various officials of J&K Police.