Jammu, Apr 12: A massive search operation was launched after suspicious movement of two individuals was reported in a village near the International Border in Samba district, officials said on Sunday.
The joint search operation by police, Army and Border Security Force (BSF) is underway in Pangdour, SIDCO forest and adjoining areas, including Basantar Nallah, the officials said.
They said a caretaker at an animal farm reported movement of two unidentified individuals at Pangdour around 8.30 pm on Saturday, prompting a swift response by the police and army.
However, the suspected persons could not be traced, the officials said, adding a party of Special Operations Group (SOG) of local police noticed the same individuals moving towards SIDCO forest around 1.30 am and challenged them but they escaped.
Accordingly, reinforcements from police and army rushed to the scene and cordoned off the forest area for a thorough search operation which was continuing when last reports were received.
BSF also joined the search operation focusing on Basantar nallah adjoining Pangdour, the officials said, adding additional checkpoints were set up at Khoon village to search vehicles plying on the route.
