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JAMMU: Gunshots rang out in the air Tuesday after security forces launched a joint search operation in Najote, a remote village in J&K’s Kathua district, based on information about the presence of terrorists there. The area lies near Kamadh Nallah in Kahog forest belt, where an encounter had erupted on Jan 7. The same evening, officials said two “drone-like objects” were spotted hovering over a village in Rajouri district.“Intermittent firing was reported from Najote forest area in Billawar, about 10km from Kamadh Nallah,” an official said, adding that suspected terrorists fired a few rounds upon spotting the search party, attracting retaliatory fire. The cordon was subsequently fortified while troops continued hunting the ultras.“DIG (Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range) Shiv Kumar Sharma and Kathua SSP Mohita Sharma were present at the spot and monitored the ongoing operation till late Tuesday. However, no further contact was established,” an official said.Meanwhile, officials said at least two suspected drones were spotted near the LoC in Rajouri district in the evening. “Around 7.35pm, the objects were seen hovering over Dheri Dhara village under Manjakote PS in Rajouri district, before moving towards Kalali village,” said an official.In another such sighting, Army personnel manning Dungagala infiltration gap under Chingus police post in Rajouri spotted more drones — believed to be from Pakistan — around 7pm, and opened fire at the flying objects, following which they disappeared.
