Two Suspects Spotted in Army-Style Uniforms Near MES Building in Samba; Area Sealed, Security on High Alert in J&K

Srinagar:
Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir were placed on high alert after two suspicious individuals wearing army-style uniforms were spotted near a Military Engineering Services (MES) building in the Samba district, prompting an immediate cordon-and-search operation.

According to officials, the incident occurred near the MES premises in the Bari Brahmana area, where local residents noticed the suspicious movement and promptly alerted the authorities. Acting on the tip-off, Army personnel swiftly sealed the area and launched a thorough search operation to rule out any security threat.

Movement Restricted, Search Operation Underway

Security forces restricted civilian movement in and around the MES complex as a precautionary measure. Additional forces were deployed, and a detailed verification process was initiated to establish the identity and intent of the suspects.

An official said that the timely alert by local residents helped security forces reach the spot quickly and bring the situation under control. The search operation remains ongoing, and further details are awaited.

Two Persons Detained by Quick Reaction Team

A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) later detained two individuals near an old Army quarter in the railway area. One of them was found sleeping outside near a shaft, while the other was located inside the premises. Both were taken into custody and handed over to the Bari Brahmana police station for further questioning.

Police identified one of the detainees as Munir Khan, a resident of Chang village in Jammu district, who claimed to be employed at a private firm in Bari Brahmana. The second individual was identified as Pawan Singh, a resident of Neeli village in Udhampur district. Security agencies are currently verifying their background and claims.

Samba a Sensitive Border District

Samba district lies close to the International Border, with security responsibilities primarily handled by the Border Security Force (BSF). The region has witnessed repeated attempts by terror groups, allegedly with support from Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, to smuggle arms, ammunition, narcotics and cash using drones.

Indian security forces have deployed advanced anti-drone systems to neutralise such threats. In several cases, drones have been forced to retreat mid-air, while attempts at infiltration under the cover of cross-border firing and underground tunnels have also been detected and foiled.

Heightened Vigil Along IB and LoC

Security has also been intensified along the Line of Control (LoC), which is guarded by the Indian Army across sensitive districts including Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Poonch, Rajouri and parts of the Jammu region. Drone activity and infiltration attempts continue to pose challenges along both the IB and LoC.

Earlier, on January 6, Punjab Police detained a minor in Pathankot on charges of espionage and sharing sensitive information with terror outfits, the ISI and Pakistani military officials via social media. Following that arrest, authorities issued a statewide alert to prevent similar incidents involving minors.

The latest incident in Samba has once again underlined the fragile security environment in border areas and the critical role of public vigilance in countering potential threats.