Jammu, December 31
Defying sub-zero temperatures, the Indian Army and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police have stepped up their vigil in the high-altitude areas of Chenab Valley to thwart any terrorist attempt to disrupt New Year festivities, officials said on Wednesday.
A large-scale counter-terror operation has been underway for over a week across the snow-bound upper reaches of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, extending into adjoining Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch. Intelligence inputs suggest that 30–35 Pakistani terrorists are currently active in the forests of the Jammu region. With heavy snowfall closing mountain passes, security forces anticipate militants may shift towards lower areas near civilian settlements.
“Reports indicate that groups active in Doda, Kishtwar, and parts of Udhampur bordering Bhaderwah for the past two years could exploit dense fog, extreme cold, and rugged terrain to disrupt New Year celebrations,” a police officer said. He added that operations are concentrated in the higher and middle mountain belts where terrorists are believed to be hiding away from populated zones.
Troops of the Rashtriya Rifles and SOG have also extended their operations to Bhalessa, which borders Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district. Local BJP leader and Bhaderwah MLA Daleep Singh Parihar praised the forces, calling their efforts a reflection of the sacrifices made to safeguard the nation. “If we are celebrating New Year in peace like the rest of the world, it is because we trust the Army to protect us,” he said. Residents of Bhalessa echoed this sentiment, commending the Army and SOG for maintaining strict vigil despite the punishing winter and treacherous terrain.
