Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists killed in ongoing operation in Udhampur

The operation is still going on in the area. Representational pic

At least two terrorists were killed by joint security forces during an ongoing operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, officials said on Thursday.

The operation began after suspicious movement was reported in Majalta area of Udhampur district on Wednesday evening, news agency IANS reported. Joint forces subsequently launched a cordon and search operation, following which contact (exchange of gunfire) was established with the terrorists.

"During the ensuing gunfight, two terrorists have been killed. The operation is still going on in the area. The exact identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained," the officials said.

The operation was initially launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and special Para troopers of the Army.

Reinforcements were rushed to the area after the encounter began.

A joint team of the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police was conducting searches in the area.

Security forces intensify anti-terror operations across Pir Panjal region

The operation comes amid heightened security activity in the Pir Panjal region following the recent busting of an alleged overground worker (OGW) network linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Rajouri.

On Tuesday, Rajouri Police arrested three people in connection with an alleged terror module operating in the Pir Panjal region. The accused were identified as Zakir Hussain, Mohd Azam, and Mohd Mushtaq.

Security forces have intensified searches using sniffer dogs and aerial surveillance to sanitise the area and track any remaining terrorists. Vehicle checking and tight cordons remain in place across strategic routes in the Udhampur-Reasi range.

The hilly areas of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri districts have remained under special focus of security forces due to reported movements of hardcore Pakistani terrorists in the inaccessible areas.

Anti-terror operations have been continuing for more than six months, during which security forces have also neutralised several top terrorists.

The bigger advantage of these operations is that the terrorists are kept constantly on the run without being able to get a foothold to plan and carry out attacks against security forces, the Army, and civilians.

(With IANS inputs)