Security Forces Neutralise Three Terrorists in J&K Gunfights
4 Feb 2026 2:26 PM IST4 Feb 2026 2:26 PM IST
The militants, who had taken shelter inside a cave and were detected with the help of a camera-fitted drone, were eliminated.
Army's Nagrota (Jammu)- based 16 Corps and troops of CIF Delta initiated a focused counter‑terrorism operation in the Jophar Forest area of Basantgarh. ( File Photo)
Jammu: Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday neutralised two suspected militants during an encounter in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, while a third militant was killed in a separate gunfight in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district, officials said.
The encounter in Udhampur began on Tuesday afternoon after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed militants in the area. Officials said the militants had taken shelter inside a cave, which was detected using a camera-fitted drone. After contact was established, additional reinforcements were deployed and the militants were eliminated following a sustained exchange of fire.
Authorities said the search operation in Basantgarh is continuing to rule out the presence of any remaining threats.
In a statement on X, the Army’s Nagrota-based 16 Corps, also known as the White Knight Corps, said troops of CIF Delta and the White Knight Corps, acting on intelligence provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched a focused counter-terror operation in the Jophar Forest area of Basantgarh. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force, which reinforced the cordon to block escape routes.
The Corps said contact with the militants was established at around 4 pm on Tuesday and pressure was maintained to prevent them from escaping. It described the neutralisation of the two militants as the result of coordinated inter-agency action. While the gunfight has ended, the Army said the wider area remains under surveillance.
In Kishtwar district, officials said one unidentified militant was killed in an ongoing encounter in the Chatroo area. In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said contact was re-established with militants during a joint operation involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF at around 5.45 pm in the Dichhar area of Kishtwar. The operation, it said, was still in progress.
The Kishtwar encounter is part of Operation Trashi-I, a prolonged counter-terror operation in the eastern parts of the district targeting a small group of suspected Jaish-e-Muhammad militants. The operation, which began on January 18, has involved repeated contacts in dense forests and difficult terrain. One paratrooper was killed and several soldiers injured during earlier phases of the operation, officials said.
Following the latest militant killings, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over continued infiltration into areas previously considered secure.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “This cycle continues endlessly. They were eliminated, yes, it is ok, but where did they come from? How did they enter Udhampur? How long have they been operating here, and how long will this continue?”
Referring to assurances given after 2019, he said incidents were still occurring in regions that had been free of terrorism earlier. He added that these issues would be taken up during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the latter’s upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Authorities said the search operation in Basantgarh is continuing to rule out the presence of any remaining threats.
In a statement on X, the Army’s Nagrota-based 16 Corps, also known as the White Knight Corps, said troops of CIF Delta and the White Knight Corps, acting on intelligence provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched a focused counter-terror operation in the Jophar Forest area of Basantgarh. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force, which reinforced the cordon to block escape routes.
The Corps said contact with the militants was established at around 4 pm on Tuesday and pressure was maintained to prevent them from escaping. It described the neutralisation of the two militants as the result of coordinated inter-agency action. While the gunfight has ended, the Army said the wider area remains under surveillance.
In Kishtwar district, officials said one unidentified militant was killed in an ongoing encounter in the Chatroo area. In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said contact was re-established with militants during a joint operation involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF at around 5.45 pm in the Dichhar area of Kishtwar. The operation, it said, was still in progress.
The Kishtwar encounter is part of Operation Trashi-I, a prolonged counter-terror operation in the eastern parts of the district targeting a small group of suspected Jaish-e-Muhammad militants. The operation, which began on January 18, has involved repeated contacts in dense forests and difficult terrain. One paratrooper was killed and several soldiers injured during earlier phases of the operation, officials said.
Following the latest militant killings, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over continued infiltration into areas previously considered secure.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “This cycle continues endlessly. They were eliminated, yes, it is ok, but where did they come from? How did they enter Udhampur? How long have they been operating here, and how long will this continue?”
Referring to assurances given after 2019, he said incidents were still occurring in regions that had been free of terrorism earlier. He added that these issues would be taken up during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the latter’s upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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