Jammu and Kashmir Encounter: One Policeman Killed in Udhampur Firing, Terrorist Injured

Jammu (The Uttam Hindu): A Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel was killed during an ongoing anti-terror operation in the Udhampur district, while one terrorist is believed to have been injured. Officials said the firing took place in Sohan village of Majalta tehsil, where a local policeman of the Special Operations Group (SOG) lost his life in the exchange of fire.

The deceased constable has been identified as Amjad Pathan, son of Basharat Khan, a resident of Salwa village in Mendhar area of Poonch district. Two other SOG personnel also sustained injuries during the encounter. Although firing stopped by morning, the area remains under a tight security cordon with all possible escape routes sealed.

The encounter began when joint security forces launched a search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of three terrorists, suspected to be linked with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit. The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army, headquartered at Nagrota, said on social media platform X that the operation was intelligence-based and is still underway with the involvement of the Army and J&K Police SOG.

Police officials stated that contact with the terrorists was established in the remote village after receiving precise information. Jammu IGP Bhim Sen Tuti said that a very small SOG team initially engaged the terrorists. He added that dense forests, darkness and difficult terrain are hampering the search operation.

According to officials, the encounter started around 6 pm on Monday and continued for some time. One SOG jawan was critically injured during the firing and later succumbed to his injuries. It is believed that one terrorist was also injured in the initial exchange. The operation was temporarily halted overnight and resumed early morning. Additional security forces have been deployed to strengthen the cordon and neutralize any remaining terrorists hiding in the area.