Search operation continues to track down 3 JeM terrorists in Udhampur

A day after a highly trained terrorist was killed in a fierce encounter in the mountainous Basantgarh region of Udhampur, security forces on Friday continued their search for the three remaining terrorists who managed to flee the site.

A multi-layered cordon has been established in the forest area of Bihali, where the three Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists are believed to be hiding. The encounter on Thursday took place near Karoor Nullah in the same area, where one terrorist was shot dead.

According to intelligence reports, the group of four terrorists infiltrated the Indian side last year and had been moving through the higher reaches of Basantgarh. The terrorist killed during the encounter is believed to have been the leader of the group.

Speaking to reporters, Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti said, “In the ongoing operation at Basantgarh, we had an encounter with terrorists around 8:30 am yesterday. Due to poor weather conditions, the operation faced several challenges. This group consisted of four terrorists.” He added that one terrorist had been successfully neutralised and the search is on to track down the remaining three. “The weather has now improved in the area. The operation is underway,” he said.

Drones and sniffer dogs are being used to detect the location of the hiding terrorists. The search operation resumed this morning with additional reinforcements deployed to eliminate the remaining militants.

The slain terrorist was reportedly carrying an M-4 carbine, along with other arms, ammunition and food items. Security forces had not yet retrieved his body till Friday afternoon, as the site of the encounter is located at a high elevation in the mountains.

Sources said the slain terrorist has been identified as Haider, code-named Maulvi, from Pakistan, though no official confirmation has been issued yet.

According to sources, the three terrorists who escaped are believed to be holed up in the forest. “They might be using natural caves to hide in the dense forest. Security forces, including Army commandos and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police, are moving cautiously, as the terrorists may be planning an ambush,” the sources said.

J & K