Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 10: Deeply alarmed by the spurt in terrorists’ activities, the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) J&K held a meeting and expressed grave concern over the terror escalation amongst the civilian population of upper reaches of Kathua District of Jammu Division.
The DSS J&K while expressing grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in Kathua district, where cross-border terrorism has seen a marked intensification over the past year has outlined six point action plan to curb terrorism.
It said the district has experienced multiple terrorist incidents since early 2024, with attacks occurring across several locations including Chochru Gala’ Badnota, Hiranagar, Chatargala-Bani, Gandoh, Dhannu Parole, Kohag, Malhar. Most concerning is the recent surge beginning March 23, this year when violent encounters erupted in Sanyal forest and Jakhole village, with confirmed terrorist presence in Juthana area.
The DSS said that the incident at Badhota village resulted in the deaths of five army personnel and incidents at Chochrugala and Dhannu Parole in death of two police personnel. Civilian casualties include two individuals murdered in Kohag Village forest whose remains were discovered 10 kilometers eastwards in a nallah at Bathri village. The dead bodies of three victims from a wedding procession of Marhoon village were found through drone in nallah in Malhar, the statement said.
Later talking to reporters DSS president and former Minister, Gulchain Singh Charak said “These are not isolated incidents but represent a systematic campaign of violence orchestrated across the border,” .
He said in response to this, the DSS has outlined a six-point action plan for immediate action.
Charak demanded implementation of specialized counter-terrorism operations tailored to Kathua’s unique topography, the grass root surveillance is best handled by local village agencies by reactivating and strengthen these agencies. It demanded revival and operationalization of erstwhile time-tested system of Namberdars and Chowkidars to provide actionable human intelligence to security forces.
He further demanded facilitation of civilian protection through expedited arms license renewals and strategic arming of coordination through traditional local authority structures, enhancement of human intelligence networks to identify terrorist operatives and their supporters, deployment of technologically advanced rapid response units specifically trained for mountainous terrain operations, and diplomatic initiatives to address Pakistan’s documented support for cross-border terrorism through international forums and bilateral channels.
Prominent among others present were Col. (retd) Karan Singh Jamwal, vice president, H.C. Jalmeria, general secretary, G.A. Khawaja additional general secretary, Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, in charge Youth Wing, Arvinder Singh Amn incharge Cultural Cell and others.
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