Two JeM terrorists killed in J&K encounter

A joint team of security forces led by an elite group of Para Commandos have neutralised two heavily armed Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, without causing any collateral damage, in the general area of Brattal, Udhampur on Thursday.

During ongoing searches in the thickly forested area, the security forces also detained a suspected overground worker (OGW). They escorted him for further interrogation to establish any links and whether he was sheltering the foreign terrorists and providing logistics to sustain them inside their hideout.

It was the second major encounter in Udhampur district this year. On February 4, a dreaded commander of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Rubani alias Abu Mavia, along with his associate, was neutralised inside a natural cave during a 20-hour-long operation in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur. The JeM commander was active in the area for several years before he was gunned down.

The anti-terrorist operation was going on in the area, and on Wednesday evening the security forces recorded a suspected movement of terrorists. “Around 9.00 pm, at least 4-5 rounds from a rocket launcher were fired by the special forces, targeting the safe hideout of JeM terrorists in the Brattal /Khubban area under the jurisdiction of Majalta police station in Udhampur district”. On Thursday, the Army confirmed the killing of two terrorists in the operation.

“In a joint intelligence-based operation during the intervening night of September 16-17, confirmed inputs indicated the presence of terrorists in the general area of Brattal, Udhampur.

“Despite hostile weather, difficult terrain and poor visibility, troops of White Knight Corps, Police and CRPF launched a targeted counter-terrorism operation, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists.

“The operation is still in progress, with search and surveillance continuing in the area. Security forces remain deployed to track and neutralise any remaining threat,” the Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X. The slain terrorists have been identified as Saddam and Mustafa by Jammu and Kashmir Police.

An AK Assault Rifle (with 4 mags), one M4 Carbine (with 3 mags), a Glock Pistol (with 2 mags) and 4 grenades have been recovered from their person, police said in a post on X.

Security forces have been maintaining a hawk’s eye in the region to prevent Pakistan-based JeM terrorists from carving out safe hideouts in the upper reaches of Udhampur.