Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified anti-terror operations in the Kathua district, with gunshots reported during a search operation in the remote Najote village, Billawar area. This operation commenced on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists. The area is near the Kamadh Nullah forest belt, where an encounter involving suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists had previously erupted on January 7, 2026. Intermittent firing occurred as security personnel made contact with the suspected terrorists, prompting immediate retaliation and reinforcement of the cordon. Simultaneously, the Rajouri district witnessed multiple sightings of suspected Pakistani drones along the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and in the preceding days. Drones were reported hovering over areas such as Dung Gala, Keri, Thandikassi, Dheri Dhara, and Manjakote. Indian Army personnel swiftly responded by opening fire on these aerial objects, causing them to disappear, presumably retreating towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) or crashing. These drone intrusions are viewed as attempts for cross-border reconnaissance, facilitating infiltration, or dropping arms and narcotics to terrorist networks operating within the region. The heightened drone activity comes just hours after the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi issued a stern warning to Pakistan against such cross-border provocations. Security agencies have increased surveillance and deployed additional anti-drone measures in vulnerable sectors, maintaining a high level of alert, especially ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Authorities, including DIG (Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range) Shiv Kumar Sharma and Kathua SSP Mohita Sharma, were present to monitor the Kathua operation. While no further contact with terrorists in Najote was established after the initial exchange, search efforts have been expanded to a dozen surrounding villages. The consistent reports from multiple credible sources like The Hindu, Hindustan Times, India TV News, and The Indian Express, alongside the Times of India, corroborate these events, highlighting ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and border vigilance in the Jammu region.