An encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists is ongoing in the Dudu-Basantgarh hills of Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir. One soldier was martyred in the firing. The army and police have cordoned off the terrorists, and the operation is continuing with full caution.
Encounter: An encounter between security forces and terrorists has been ongoing since late Friday night in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. Joint forces have surrounded 3 to 4 Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists in the Dudu-Basantgarh hills. The encounter began at 8 PM on Friday and is still continuing. One army soldier was martyred in this firing. The injured soldier was immediately admitted to the hospital but could not be saved. Joint teams of security forces and police are fully active in the area, and the operation to encircle the terrorists is underway.
How the Encounter Began
Officials stated that based on specific intelligence, the Indian Army, Special Operations Group (SOG), and police launched an operation in the Dudu police station area, adjacent to the high-altitude region of Sojdhar. During the operation, contact was established with terrorists, and the encounter began.
The Inspector General of Jammu Police said that the encounter is still ongoing, and joint teams of SOG, police, and the Indian Army are engaged in apprehending the terrorists. Earlier, officials from the White Knight Corps informed that contact with terrorists was established around 8 PM as part of an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Kishtwar.
Encounters in this Area Last Year Too
Over the past year, several encounters have taken place in Dudu-Basantgarh and the surrounding forests. On June 26 last year, Jaish-e-Mohammed's top commander, Haider, was killed in an encounter in the same area. Haider was an active member of Pakistan-based JeM and had been organizing terrorists in the region for the past four years. Additionally, on April 25, an army soldier was martyred in an encounter in the Basantgarh area. This region continues to remain sensitive for both terrorists and security forces.
Bravery of the Soldiers
Security forces and police conducted the operation with encirclement and strategy to prevent terrorists from finding any means of escape. In this operation, army personnel risked their lives to ensure the safety of civilians and their comrades. Continuous firing occurred in the high-altitude hilly regions and forests during the encounter.
Information Behind the Terrorists
According to officials, the surrounded terrorists are members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), who have been active in the region for several years. These terrorists are organized from Pakistan to spread violence in local areas and challenge security forces. The Dudu-Basantgarh hills have consistently been used as a base by these terrorists.
