Udhampur security on high alert after encounter
The presence of a heavily armed group of foreign terrorists in the Majalta area of Udhampur district, housing Northern Command headquarters and several other vital installations, has once again sent alarm bells ringing in the security establishment about the possible terrorist strike in the region.
Despite establishing contact and trapping them during widespread combing and search operations in the upper reaches of Udhampur district in recent months, these foreign terrorists, trained in jungle warfare, have managed to flee the area, taking advantage of the natural cave-like structures and thick foliage in the upper reaches.
During the fresh encounter, which broke out between the joint team of security forces and a group of terrorists in the thickly forested belt of Soan under the jurisdiction of Majalta police station on Monday, a jawan of the special operations group of Jammu and Kashmir police sacrificed his life in the line of duty, and two others received injuries during the initial round of firing.
On Tuesday, the security forces further intensified combing and search operations in the area to neutralise these terrorists. Additional troops were also mobilised to launch the massive manhunt to track down their footprints.
Speaking to reporters in Udhampur, Inspector General of Police, Jammu range Bhim Sen Tuti said that after the initial firing, the terrorists escaped deeper into a dense forest area. However, all possible escape routes have been sealed and a tight security cordon has been established. Tuti said that based on an input, an operation was launched in the Soan village of Udhampur district on Monday evening. “The information turned out to be true, and an encounter took place. We had a small Special Operations Group party. During the firefight, our cop, Amjad Ali Khan, suffered injuries. We tried to evacuate him, but due to excessive blood loss, we lost him. The operation is still on,” he said.
Meanwhile, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was organised in the district police lines, Udhampur, to pay homage to the braveheart.
Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, after paying homage, carried the casket on his shoulders along with senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police. Wreaths were also laid by IGP (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti, Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai, along with senior police officers, CRPF personnel and district administration officials, who paid floral tributes to the martyr.
A gun salute was given as a final farewell to the martyred cop, following which the mortal remains were sent to his hometown in the Mendhar border area of Poonch district for burial.
