Fresh CASOs Launched in Poonch Amid IIOJK Tensions

As tensions persist in IIOJK, Indian forces have launched yet another extensive CASO, this time targeting the Surankote area of Poonch district.

Indian troops have initiated a large-scale cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Poonch district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The operation began on Monday in the Surankote area and is being carried out by a joint team comprising the Indian Army and paramilitary forces.

According to a senior police official, the search was launched based on intelligence inputs. The area was sealed off, and thorough searches were underway when the last reports were received.

Indian authorities claim that during the operation, ready-to-use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered. The presence of such explosive devices has added urgency and heightened security in the region.

The CASO in Surankote comes at a time when tensions in IIOJK have significantly escalated. Recent weeks have seen increased military activity and crackdowns across the valley and surrounding districts, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam incident on April 22.

Security operations in the region have become more frequent, with forces intensifying their efforts to locate and neutralize what officials describe as threats to public safety and national security. However, these operations often raise concerns among local residents who report being caught in the middle of aggressive search tactics, curfews, and mobility restrictions.

While Indian security forces maintain that these operations are necessary to counter insurgency and prevent militant activity, critics argue that such actions contribute to civil unrest and further alienate the population. Human rights groups and political leaders have also expressed unease over the increasing frequency and intensity of these military operations.

Surankote, a sensitive area due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), has witnessed similar operations in the past. The rugged terrain and forested zones are often cited as reasons for militant activity and movement across the region.

As the operation in Poonch continues, officials have not confirmed whether any arrests were made or if more explosive materials were found. The situation remains tense, and more updates are expected as the search progresses.

Local residents are once again left dealing with uncertainty and fear, as another region of IIOJK becomes the center of high-stakes military activity.

With no end in sight to the ongoing security lockdowns and combing operations, the cycle of tension continues, raising questions about long-term peace and stability in the region.