Operation Kiya: Two Jaish Terrorists, Holed Up in Cave, Neutralised in Udhampur; M4, AK Series Rifle Recovered

Operation Kiya: Two Pakistani terrorists, including a top commander of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, were neutralised by security forces in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The terrorists were trapped inside a natural cave. Several powerful blasts were heard when the forces stormed the cave around noon.A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including an M4 carbine and an AK assault rifle, were recovered from the neutralised terrorists. While body of one of the terrorists was lying on the mouth of the cave, another was found lying deep inside it.One of the neutralised terrorists was identified as Rubani alias Abu Mavia, a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, who was active in the area for the last several

years. The other terrorist has been identified as Zubair. "Based on specific intelligence input provided by police, troops of Counter-Intelligence Force Delta, White Knight Corps planned and executed a focused joint counter-terror operation in the general area of Jophar Forest, Basantgarh in coordination with police and CRPF reinforcing the cordon, ensuring effective area domination to prevent escape of terrorists," the Army's White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

"Contact with terrorists was established yesterday and since then, terrorists were prevented from breaking contact. Following a calibrated and coordinated response, two terrorists have been successfully neutralised. The operation highlighted seamless inter-agency coordination, tactical precision and high standards of professionalism."

All About Operation Kiya

The terrorists were located by joint troops of Army, police and CRPF amid intensified search operations in the higher reaches of Ramnagar-Basantgarh area around 4 pm on Tuesday, leading to a fierce gunfight. According to officials, one of the terrorists was hit during the encounter but managed to retreat into the natural cave along with his accomplice.A fresh exchange of fire and deafening explosions rocked the area around 7.30 pm when the terrorists attempted to flee under the cover of darkness, the officials said, adding Army reinforcements, including paratroopers and dog squads, were rushed in to further tighten the cordon.The night passed without any firing, and the security forces maintained a tight vigil over the area, particularly around the cave, using drones for surveillance. Earlier today, the security forces prepared for a final assault on the cave to flush out the hiding terrorists who refused to come out and surrender. They were neutralised in the day. Army named the over 20-hour long operation as "Kiya" and said though it is over, the area still remains under surveillance.

Anti-Terror Ops Intensified in J&K

This was the second encounter in Udhampur since December 15 when a policeman was killed in an encounter at Soan village. However, the terrorists had managed to escape taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.A series of encounters -- three in Kathua district and four in Chatroo forest belt in Kishtwar --also occurred in January, resulting in the killing of top JeM terrorist, Usman of Pakistan, in Kathua and a paratrooper in Kishtwar amid intensified operations to hunt down terrorists hiding in the upper reaches of Jammu region.