Security forces on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) stepped up an ongoing search operation by extending the cordon to track down and neutralise terrorists in remote villages of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials said. Several gunshots were heard when the security forces launched the operation in the Najote forest area in Billawar tehsil on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) based on information about the presence of a terrorist there. There was no contact between the terrorist and the security forces. Ahead of Republic Day, security has been tightened across the Jammu region, particularly in border villages and high-altitude areas, to curb terrorist activities. Frequent drone intrusions from across the border over the past few days have also emerged as a major security concern, prompting the deployment of additional forces at vulnerable locations.

Source: The Hindu January 14, 2026 19:16 UTC