Terrorist Encounter in Udhampur: Security Forces on High Alert Ahead of Amarnath Yatra

Ongoing Gunfight in Udhampur District

Jammu: A terrorist was neutralized on Thursday during an ongoing confrontation between security personnel and militants in the Basantgarh region of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, reported that four militants are currently believed to be cornered in the area.

The IGP informed the media that contact with the terrorists was established around 8:30 a.m., but adverse weather conditions are complicating the situation.

"We will have a clearer picture once the weather improves. Our assessment indicates that a group of four terrorists is entrenched here," he stated.

Earlier reports from the Army indicated that the encounter began in the Bihali area of Basantgarh following actionable intelligence.

Officials noted that security forces initiated a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in response to suspicious activities reported in the Basantgarh area this morning.

"The security forces faced heavy automatic gunfire, which they returned, leading to the ongoing encounter. Reinforcements have been dispatched to the scene," officials confirmed.

In light of the Pahalgam attack on April 22, security forces are on heightened alert throughout the union territory. Additional units from the BSF, CRPF, and SSB have been deployed to ensure safety for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, scheduled from July 3 to August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima festival.

Pilgrims can access the cave shrine via the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route, both situated at an elevation of 3,888 meters in the Kashmir Himalayas.

A successful mock security drill was conducted on Wednesday across all districts that Yatris will traverse to reach the shrine. Security forces are monitoring all mountain tops to prevent terrorist movements into the hinterland.

In addition to the two base camps at Baltal in Ganderbal district and Nunwan (Pahalgam) in Anantnag district, several transit camps have been established along both routes.

Ensuring the smooth and secure conduct of this year's Amarnath Yatra poses a significant challenge for security forces and local police, especially following recent hostilities between India and Pakistan, during which the Indian Armed Forces targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.