DH NEWS SERVICE
Srinagar, Apr 10
Deeply alarmed by the spurt in terrorists’ activities, the executive body of Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) J&K held a meeting and expressed grave concern over the terror escalation amongst the civilian population of upper reaches of Kathua District of Jammu Division. The DSS J&K has issued a formal statement today expressing grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in Kathua District, where cross-border terrorism has seen a marked intensification over the past year.
According to DSS J&K documentation, the district has experienced multiple terrorist incidents since early 2024, with attacks occurring across several locations including Chochru Gala’ Badnota, Hiranagar, Chatargala-Bani, Gandoh, Dhannu Parole, Kohag, Malhar. Most concerning is the recent surge beginning March 23, 2025, when violent encounters erupted in Sanyal Forest and Jakhole Village, with confirmed terrorist presence in Juthana area.
The organization reports that the incident at Badhota village resulted in the deaths of five army personnel and incidents at Chochrugala and Dhannu Parole in death of two Police personnel. Civilian casualties include two individuals murdered in Kohag Village forest whose remains were discovered 10 kilometers eastwards in a nallah at Bathri village. The dead bodies of three victims from a wedding procession of Marhoon village were found through drone in nallah in Malhar.
“These are not isolated incidents but represent a systematic campaign of violence orchestrated across the border,” stated DSS President Th. Gulchain Singh Charak. He further opined that “Intelligence reports consistently indicate that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence continues to provide logistical support, weapons, and training to terrorist operatives infiltrating the region. These terrorists’ level of tactics, carriage of sophisticated state of art weapons and communication equipment lends to a suspicion that they could well be Pakistan regular SSG Commandos.”
The DSS J&K observes with bruised heart that these attacks have profound humanitarian implications beyond the immediate security threat. Local economies have stagnated, educational institutions face disruption, and communities live under persistent psychological trauma.
In response to this crisis, the DSS J&K has outlined a six-point action plan for governmental consideration and immediate action as deemed appropriate:
Implementation of specialized counter-terrorism operations tailored to Kathua’s unique topography, including use of Heliborne Reaction Teams, Drones and reestablishment of Village Defense Groups with enhanced capabilities.
The grassroot surveillance is best handled by local village agencies. In that, the institutions of Namberdars and Chowkidars play a big role as eyes and ears for the administration. These have been unfortunately diluted or dissolved. There’s need to reactivate and strengthen these agencies. The DSS J&K demands express revival and operationalization of erstwhile time-tested system of Namberdars and Chowkidars to provide actionable human intelligence to security forces during crisis including war scenarios and anti-terror operations in the yore.
Facilitation of civilian protection through expedited arms license renewals and strategic arming of coordination through traditional local authority structures.
Enhancement of human intelligence networks to identify terrorist operatives and their supporters (Over-Ground Workers).
Deployment of technologically advanced rapid response units specifically trained for mountainous terrain operations.
Diplomatic initiatives to address Pakistan’s documented support for cross-border terrorism through international forums and bilateral channels.
“The resilience shown by Kathua residents is commendable, but civilian populations cannot indefinitely withstand systematic terrorism,” the statement continues. “The government’s primary responsibility remains the protection of its citizens from external threats”. The DSS J&K emphasized that the situation requires immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration of security conditions in this strategically significant border region.
Prominent among others present in the press conference were Col. Karan Singh Jamwal (V/President), Adv. H.C. Jalmeria (Gen. Sec.), Sh. G.A. Khawaja (Add. Gen. Sec.), Adv. Gambhir Dev Singh Charak (I/C Youth Wing), Sr. Arvinder Singh (Amn)(I/C Cultural Cell), Sh. Nasib Singh (I/C), Th. Narinder Singh Jamwal (Treasurer), Prof. Anita Bloria (I/C Ladies Wing), Mrs. Uma Katal (Co. Convenor Ladies Wing), Col. Dr. Virendra K. Sahi (Vr.C)(Co. Convenor Press Cell), Brg. Dr. Vijay Sagar (I/C Media Cell), Sh. S.H. Amanat Ali Shah(Jt. Sec.), Balwinder Singh, Th. Jagdeep Singh (Jt. Sec. Org.), Sh. Khajur Singh (Jt. Sec.).
