Rajouri, October 8, 2025 – A tense exchange of fire between suspected terrorists and police in Rajouri district’s Manjakote area prompted a large-scale cordon operation starting 5 AM today, with no casualties reported so far, though a few are injured.
The incident, in a forested pocket near the Line of Control, involved a joint team of J&K Police and Rashtriya Rifles responding to suspicious movement spotted during routine patrols. SSP Rajouri Yougraj Sharma confirmed: “The area is sealed; searches ongoing to neutralize the threat.”
The gunfight, lasting 20 minutes around 4:30 AM, followed intelligence inputs on three militants transiting from Poonch. Reinforcements, including CRPF quick response teams, arrived by 6 AM, establishing a 2-km perimeter. Villagers in nearby hamlets were evacuated temporarily, with schools in Manjakote closed as a precaution. This marks the third such encounter in Rajouri this month, amid heightened LoC activity post-Pahalgam attack.
Army sources estimate the group carries small arms; drones are aiding the hunt. CM Omar Abdullah directed full support, tweeting at 8 AM: “Safety first for our border guardians.” Economic ripple: Apple harvests in adjacent orchards delayed, affecting 200 farmers. Operations expected to wrap by evening if no breakthroughs.
So far, it has been reported that 4 terrorist has been either captured or pinned in the operation, joint teams of Army and Police are still in the operation, while further information is awaited from the site.