Srinagar, June 26: One terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Army said on Thursday.
The gunfight began early in the morning in the Bihali area after security forces launched a joint operation based on specific intelligence inputs.
The operation, named Operation Bihali, is being carried out by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
In a post on X, the Army’s White Knight Corps said, “In the ongoing joint operation by Indian Army and J&K Police in Basantgarh, one terrorist has been neutralized till now. Operation continues.”
Talking to reporters, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, said that contact was established with the terrorists around 8:30 am.
He said four heavily armed terrorists, believed to be from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), are involved. The group had been under surveillance for nearly a year, IGP Jammu added.
Meanwhile security forces believe the terrorists were hiding near Karoor Nallah when the search teams located them. Reinforcements have been sent to seal off the area and prevent any escape.
The operation continued despite bad weather, including fog and rain, which are affecting visibility.
The encounter has come just days before the start of the annual Amarnath Yatra, prompting heightened security across the region.
Officials believe the terrorists may have been planning to disrupt the pilgrimage.
Earlier, in a separate incident on Wednesday night, security forces carried out a search operation in the Purmandal area of Samba district after reports of suspicious movement. The area was later cleared after nothing was found.
Intermittent firing is still being reported from the Bihali area, and senior officers are closely monitoring the situation.
