Two JeM terrorists killed in Udhampur; search for more continues

Security forces strengthened cordon and launched combing operations after an overnight encounter in Udhampur.

Udhampur encounter, Udhampur encounter today, Udhampur militants killed, Jammu Kashmir encounter, J&K encounter, militants killed in Udhampur, Udhampur gunfight, security forces J&K, White Knight Corps, Jammu Kashmir Police, CRPF, counter-terrorism operation, Kashmir news, Indian Express newsOfficers said they recovered arms and ammunition from the dead militants and are trying to ascertain their identity and affiliation. (Representational image)

Two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed in an encounter with Jammu & Kashmir Police, army and paramilitary forces in the forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur on Wednesday night. The counter-insurgency operation in Udhampur’s Brattal Sohan and Khubban forest areas of Majalta was launched after intelligence reports on terrorist movement in the area, prompting authorities to intensify combing operations.

Officials said the forces detected some suspicious movement, leading to an exchange of fire that killed two terrorists.

“In a joint intelligence-based operation during the intervening night of 16/17 September, confirmed inputs indicated the presence of terrorists in the general area of Brattal, Udhampur,” the Indian Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a statement. “Despite hostile weather, difficult terrain and poor visibility, troops of White Knight Corps, Jammu Kashmir Police and CRPF launched a targeted counter-terrorism operation resulting in neutralisation of two terrorists.”

Police identified those killed as Saddam and Mustafa. “An AK Assault Rifle (with 4 mags); M4 Carbine (with 3 mags); a Glock Pistol (with 2 mags); and 4 grenades have been recovered from their possession,” a statement issued later in the evening said.

Officials said the anti-insurgency operation continues in the area, as do search and surveillance.

“Security forces remain deployed to trace and neutralise any remaining threat,” the Army said.

The latest encounter adds to a series of operations against JeM-linked terrorists in Udhampur’s forested areas. According to security officials, the Jaish terrorists have set up their bases in the higher reaches of Jammu division over the last several years, especially the Kathua-Jammu-Udhampur belt that is connected to Jammu’s Chenab region.

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The area is characterised by dense forests and difficult terrain, which, compounded by its location between the Jammu plains and the higher reaches towards Doda and Kishtwar, makes tracking terrorists challenging.

Security forces have conducted prolonged searches in the Basantgarh-Ramnagar belt in recent years, with terrorists taking advantage of the terrain and dense foliage to remain concealed for extended periods.

Two JeM terrorists were killed in an operation in the Basantgarh area in February this year, while another JeM terrorist was killed there in June 2025.

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

 

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