J&K on high alert ahead of Republic Day celebrations
In the run-up to the Republic Day celebrations, the security forces deployed across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have been kept in a State of high alert to prevent any major infiltration bid/terror plot from across the border.
Late on Tuesday evening, a brief exchange of fire was reported along the Line of Control in the Keran sector of north Kashmir's Kupwara district. The brief exchange of fire was reported when troops of the 6 Rashtriya Rifles were installing high-tech surveillance cameras in the Keran Bala area.
The equipment was being set up to beef up border security. Reportedly, Pakistani troops fired two rounds of small arms to disrupt the installation work. In response, the Indian troops fired a single, calibrated retaliatory shot, the sources said.
At the same time, additional Army troops were inducted in the higher reaches of Kishtwar district on day four of the ongoing search operation to flush out terrorists, who have escaped into the deep forest after an encounter on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the army jawans deployed along the line of control in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch are also maintaining a tight vigil to prevent any BAT operation targeting Indian patrols. The region has recently witnessed heightened tensions following repeated drone incursions from the Pakistani side into the Indian Territory.
The foot soldiers guarding the frontiers along the international border with Pakistan have been briefed by their local commanders to intensify patrolling along the border to maintain a tight vigil, especially during foggy weather conditions. They have been directed to rely on electronic surveillance to pin down the infiltrators near the barbed wire fence. Counter-drone technology has been activated to prevent any strike on vital security installations.
Fearing possible terrorist strikes on 'soft targets', the security grid has already been tightened across the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar for the last couple of days. Regular frisking and checking of pedestrians and suspected vehicles is going on in the close vicinity of the main venue of the Republic Day functions.
Security has been beefed up along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after intelligence reports warned against possible terrorist strikes on soft targets in the run-up to the Republic Day celebrations.
In Jammu, the security forces conducted searches in a locality with a large concentration of Rohingya Muslims. Security forces are also engaged in search and combing operations at dozens of places, including Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Doda districts of Jammu, officials said.
The Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat, himself chaired a comprehensive security review meeting in the South Kashmir district of Shopian on Wednesday to assess the prevailing security scenario and review operational preparedness ahead of Republic Day 2026.
Addressing the officers, the DGP J&K issued clear directions to deal firmly and decisively with anti-national elements posing a threat to public safety, peace and tranquillity. He reiterated zero tolerance towards activities inimical to national security and stressed the importance of sustained operations against such elements.
