Two terrorists suspected to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed on Thursday during an encounter
in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur. The joint operation by the Army, police and CRPF was conducted in the dense Brattal Sohan and Khubban forests of Majalta bordering Kathua district amid heavy rain. Army confirmed the killing of two terrorists in the operation. “In a joint intelligence-based operation during the intervening night of September 16-17, confirmed inputs indicated the presence of terrorists in the general area of Brattal, Udhampur." "Despite hostile weather, difficult terrain and poor visibility, troops of White Knight Corps, Police and CRPF launched a targeted counter-terrorism operation, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists," the Army added. "The operation is still in progress, with search and surveillance continuing in the area. Security forces remain deployed to track and neutralise any remaining threat,” the Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
According to news agency PTI, the officials said police and security forces were looking for a terrorist group after its movement was noticed in the forested area last week. Following the search operation, the security forces cordoned off a particular area around 9 pm on Wednesday following fresh inputs, leading to the initial contact.
A few rounds of firing and blasts were heard shortly after the operation began, the officials said, adding that the area, however, remained largely quiet through the night before the lull ended on Thursday morning, when the terrorists opened heavy fire in an attempt to break the cordon.
Terrorists Believed To Be Pakistani Nationals
The officials said both the slain terrorists are believed to be Pakistani nationals. According to news agency PTI, the officials added that a US-made M4 carbine and an AK assault rifle, along with a large quantity of ammunition, were recovered from the scene of the gunfight.A local youth, believed to be an over-ground worker (OGW), has been detained for questioning, PTI reported citing officials.
It was the second major encounter in Udhampur district this year. In February, two Pakistani terrorists, including a self-styled commander – Rubani alias Abu Mavia, who was active in the area for the past several years – were killed in the Ramnagar forests.
(With agency inputs)
