Udhampur (Rajeev Sharma): Two terrorists suspected to be associated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have been killed during an ongoing counter-terror operation in the forested upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, officials said on Thursday.
The operation is being conducted jointly by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the Brattal Sohan and Khubban areas of Majalta. Security personnel continued the operation despite heavy rainfall and challenging conditions in the high-altitude forest terrain.
The Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps confirmed that two terrorists had been neutralised during an intelligence-led operation launched in the intervening night of September 16 and 17.
According to the Army, security forces received confirmed intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the Brattal area. Troops from the White Knight Corps, along with police and CRPF personnel, subsequently launched a targeted operation despite poor visibility, difficult terrain and adverse weather.
The security forces have continued search and surveillance operations in the area, with personnel remaining deployed to identify and deal with any remaining threat.
Officials said security agencies had been tracking the suspected movement of a terrorist group in the dense forested region after its presence was noticed last week. Following fresh intelligence inputs, security forces established a cordon around a suspected area at around 9 pm on Wednesday, leading to the first exchange of fire.
Several rounds of firing and explosions were heard soon after the operation began. The area remained relatively calm for much of the night before firing resumed on Thursday morning.
Officials said the terrorists subsequently opened heavy fire in an apparent attempt to breach the security cordon. Additional forces were rushed to the location as the operation continued.
The search operation remains underway, and security agencies are maintaining heightened surveillance across the surrounding forest area. Further details are expected as the operation progresses.
