Indian forces conducted a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) in a forest area of Handwara, Kupwara, in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, subjecting the area to intensified searches. Personnel of the Indian Army’s 21 Rashtriya Rifles, police and the Central Reserve Police Force’s 92 Battalion jointly launched the operation in the Nagda Nar forest area following what officials described as specific intelligence input. The operation involved searches across the forest area as the forces moved through the vicinity.

The intensified search operation comes amid the continued use of cordon-and-search operations by Indian forces across IIOJK, causing disruption and heightened movement restrictions for local residents. Meanwhile, Indian forces claimed that they had detected and destroyed an old hideout during the operation and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the site. Police said a case had been registered at Handwara Police Station under relevant sections of law and that further investigation was underway. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)