Encounter rages in Udhampur

Srinagar, Aug 6: An encounter between terrorists and security forces is underway in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district of Jammu and some terrorists are believed to be trapped.

“Based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched by security forces in an area near the Thanda Pani Khaned graveyard falling in the jurisdiction of Police Station Basantgarh. Contact has been established and a few rounds have been fired from both sides. The area was cordoned off,” Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu Zone, Anand Jain posted on microblogging site X.

The encounter broke out after joint parties of the Army, Police, and CRPF established contact with the terrorists in the upper reaches of the Basantgarh area and cornered them in the forest.

“After specific input was gleaned regarding the movement in the area, a Search and Destroy Operation (SADO) was launched in the wee hours today by our parties. Contact has been established with a group of terrorists in the Khaned area of Police Station Basantgarh. Operation is underway @JmuKmrPolice @adgpi @crpfindia,” DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Rayees Muhammad Bhat posted on X.

Earlier last month, the Police Post Sang in Basantgarh came under terrorist fire.

However, the Police retaliated and forced the terrorists to flee, averting a major tragedy.

Basantgarh borders the Kathua district where an Army convoy was ambushed last month.

Five soldiers were killed and five others injured in the attack, following which a massive combing operation was launched in the area by the Army and Police amid heavy rain in the dense forests.

On April 28, a Village Defense Guard (VDG) Muhammad Sharief was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Basantgarh.