An operation by Indian forces to apprehend Kashmiri fighters in the Kathua area of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir entered its 12th day on Thursday, with the fighters managing to avoid arrest.
The operations began on March 23, when five fighters were spotted in the Hiranagri area. According to AFP, the fighters slipped through a police cordon that had been set up to arrest them.
They later ambushed an Indian patrol in Ghati Juthana resulting in the deaths of four policemen and two fighters. Another clash took place in Panjtirthi, however the three Kashmiri fighters who managed to escape have been on the run since then.
According to Tribune India, ‘multiple security forces and intelligence agencies’ are working together to apprehend the militants. The report added that Indian forces are exercising ‘caution’ after being ambushed by the fighters multiple times.
Indian officials have claimed that the five men entered IOJK from Pakistan but no evidence has been presented for the claim.
Kashmir is India’s only Muslim majority region and is considered one of the most heavily militarised regions in the world with over half a million soldiers being posted. Although a pro-freedom movement has been active in IOJK for several decades, there has been a renewed intensity in the resistance since India revoked Kashmir’s special status in 2019. The UNSC Resolution of April 21, 1948 has called for a plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to decide their accession.
