Army Commander calls for high alert in Basantgarh amid rising terror threat

Amid heightened terror threats in the region, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command, Lt General Pratik Sharma, visited the Basantgarh area—where terror activities have witnessed a surge over the past two years—and directed troops to remain on high alert.

The visit comes at a time when a pan-India terror network with links to Kashmir, and responsible for the recent Delhi blast, has been exposed. Intelligence agencies continue to receive inputs regarding the presence of Pakistani terrorists in forested areas of the Jammu division.

An Army spokesperson said, “Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army Commander of Northern Command, visited Basantgarh and Rampur and reviewed the counter-terrorism grid. He urged all ranks to remain alert and proactive, and to maintain a firm stance against emerging threats in the interior areas.”

The spokesperson added that the Army Commander interacted with personnel deployed in the region and appreciated their professional conduct and unwavering commitment to keeping Jammu and Kashmir free from terrorism.

Basantgarh in Udhampur district lies along a traditional infiltration route used by Pakistani terrorists who reportedly enter Indian territory through Kathua before moving into the mountainous districts. The area shares boundaries with both Kathua and Doda, giving it significant strategic importance. Several encounters between security forces and terrorists have taken place in Basantgarh in recent years.

On Saturday, Lt Gen Sharma also visited Nowshera and Bhimber Gali in Rajouri to review operational preparedness. “He interacted with troops along the Line of Control (LoC), commending their high morale, professionalism and sustained operational efficiency. He was briefed on enhanced surveillance systems, precision engagement capabilities and future-ready operational measures implemented to maintain a robust defensive posture,” the Army spokesperson said.