Operation Kiya : Two Jaish-e-Mohammad Militants Killed In Encounter At Udhampur Forest

Udhampur: Two militants affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist group were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district after a sustained encounter with Indian security forces, officials said. The anti-terror operation, conducted under the banner of “Operation Kiya,” involved coordinated action by the Indian Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). 

According to police and military sources, troops received specific intelligence about the presence of JeM operatives in a forested section of the Ramnagar area. Security personnel located the suspects sheltering inside a natural cave in the dense Jaffer forest belt on Tuesday afternoon, prompting troops to establish a tight cordon around the site. A gunfight broke out soon after the terrorists were spotted. 

The initial exchange of fire reportedly lasted more than an hour. The militants attempted to slip away under the cover of darkness later in the evening, triggering brief further firing. Reinforcements including airborne units and specially trained dog squads were deployed to strengthen the perimeter and prevent any escape, officials told news agency PTI. 

Security forces maintained the cordon overnight, and early on Wednesday resumed intensified operations to eliminate the holed-up militants. By the conclusion of the action, both JeM fighters were killed, with officials highlighting “seamless inter-agency coordination and tactical precision” in the operation’s execution. 

The deceased were identified as JeM commanders Mavi and Zubair, and weapons including an AK-47 rifle and an M4 carbine were recovered at the scene, Hindustan Times reported.

Security personnel said there were no casualties among the joint forces, and the area remains under surveillance. Officials emphasised that the operation was intelligence-driven, reflecting ongoing efforts to counter terrorism in the region. 

The encounter underscores the continuing challenge posed by militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir’s remote forested zones and the sustained vigilance of security agencies working to curtail their activities.

Also read : Gold Rebounds In Major Indian Cities As Silver Shows Volatility