Security forces have launched a fresh search operation in the forested Basantgarh area of Udhampur district on Friday to track down three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists believed to be hiding after an encounter on Thursday left one of their associates dead.
Officials said the operation resumed early this morning, and news agency PTI reported that fresh reinforcements, drones, and sniffer dogs joined the effort.
The group of four Pakistan-based JeM terrorists was confronted on Thursday in the Bihali area of Basantgarh by a joint team of the Army and police. A gunfight followed, in which one terrorist—identified as Haider alias Maulvi from Pakistan—was killed.
Notably, Basantgarh is a known infiltration corridor for terrorists entering India from the International Border in Kathua.
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The terrorists were found hiding near Karoor Nallah and were engaged by the Army's Para Commandos during the encounter. The search for the remaining three is ongoing.
Earlier, Hindustan Times quoted Jammu zone Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhim Sen Tuti as saying that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs. “The search operation is still on. The situation will become clear after the weather clears. It is a group of four terrorists. We had been monitoring these terrorists for the past year,” Tuti said.
Security heightened amid Amarnath Yatra preps
{{/usCountry}}Earlier, Hindustan Times quoted Jammu zone Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bhim Sen Tuti as saying that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs. “The search operation is still on. The situation will become clear after the weather clears. It is a group of four terrorists. We had been monitoring these terrorists for the past year,” Tuti said.
Security heightened amid Amarnath Yatra preps
{{/usCountry}}Security forces have conducted mock drills on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway ahead of the Yatra, which has historically been a major target for Pakistani terror groups. The first batch of pilgrims is scheduled to leave from Jammu on July 2.
Also Read | ‘Registration for Amarnath yatra down by 10% post J&K terror attack’
Security has been heightened in the region with the annual Amarnath Yatra set to begin on July 3. Tuti said adequate arrangements are in place. “This time around, we have got more paramilitary companies from the Centre,” he added.
He also advised pilgrims to travel only with official convoys from the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu. “Such pilgrims should avoid independent travel,” Tuti said.
According to the Army’s White Knight Corps, the terrorists were moving through forested terrain and using caves to avoid detection. Officials said the group was helped by overground workers (OGWs) for months. At least five OGWs have been arrested recently for aiding them with food and shelter.
Sources said one of the JeM operatives being tracked is a local man who had returned from Pakistan and is now believed to be helping infiltrators.
The encounter comes just weeks after heightened tensions in the region. On April 22, 26 people were killed in Pahalgam in a terror attack. That prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor on May 6, targeting terror camps. A short conflict followed between India and Pakistan from May 7 to 10 before ceasefire understanding.