JeM terrorist shot in J&K encounter, three trapped

A week ahead of start of the Amarnath pilgrimage, a highly trained terrorist, believed to be Pakistani, was shot dead during an encounter with the security forces in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district on Thursday.

Intelligence agencies received information about the presence of at least four terrorists in the dense forest of Bihali in Basantgarh. They were confronted by a joint search party of the J&K Police and the Special Forces of the Army on Thursday morning.

Basantgarh is located on the traditional route of Pakistani terrorists who infiltrate from the International Border in Kathua and travel to higher reaches of the Jammu region or to the Valley.

Sources said the group belongs to the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit and is heavily armed. They are also equipped with M4 carbines. The sources said from the tactics being used by the terrorists during the encounter, it appeared they were likely trained in jungle warfare.

“Based on a tip-off, a joint operation was launched by the Army and the police in the Bihali area of Basantgarh. A contact has been established with terrorists. The operation is currently in progress,” the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps posted on X.

Later, it said, “In the ongoing joint operation, one terrorist has been neutralised till now.”

Inspector General of Police, Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti, said a search operation was continuing in the area. “There is a thick fog cover in the area and weather conditions are not favourable. Things will be clear once the weather improves” said Tuti.

The terrorists are carrying arms, ammunition and food in their backpacks.

The sources said the group had infiltrated into India at least a year ago and was being tracked by the security forces. They were moving from one area to another and overground workers (OGWs) were likely providing them food and other logistics. The terrorists were using forest and natural caves for hiding.

A tight cordon by the Special Operations Group of the police and Army was being maintained as the remaining terrorists might try to take cover of fog and poor weather conditions and try to flee. Additional forces have already been rushed to the area.