Encounter Breaks Out in Udhampur During Operation ‘Kia’

An encounter between security forces and militants took place on Tuesday in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir. The operation, codenamed ‘Kia’, is being carried out jointly by the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Following inputs about the presence of militants in the Ramnagar tehsil, particularly in Johpar-Marta village, security forces launched a cordon and search operation. The encounter began around 4 pm during a combing exercise in forested terrain, when armed militants opened fire. Security personnel retaliated, triggering a firefight that was ongoing at the time of the latest update.

Perimeter control has been established in the area, with all exit routes sealed to prevent the suspects from fleeing. Additional reinforcements have been deployed, and a wider combing exercise is underway.

Ongoing Operation ‘Trashi-1’ in Kishtwar Enters Third Week

Simultaneously, a major counter-insurgency initiative named ‘Operation Trashi-1’ is continuing in the forested areas of Kishtwar district. Launched on 18 January in Sonar village near the Mandrala-Singhpora area in the Chhatroo belt, the operation has seen multiple armed confrontations between militants and security forces.

Four encounters have been reported as part of this operation, including a major one on the day it began. In that exchange, eight security personnel were injured, one of whom, Havildar Gajendra Singh, succumbed to injuries during treatment on 19 January. Further exchanges of fire took place on 22 January, 24 January, and again on 31 January in the Dolgam area.

Security agencies believe that two to three militants affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) may still be hiding in the dense forest region. The area continues to be under surveillance, with search operations progressing under strict security protocols.

JeM Commander Neutralised in Kathua on 23 January

On 23 January, a senior commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed was killed in an operation by security forces in Kathua district. Identified as Usman, he had reportedly been active for nearly two years across Doda, Udhampur, and Kathua regions. Weapons and ammunition, including a U.S.-origin M4 assault rifle, were recovered from the site of the encounter.

The operation followed a week-long search and was a part of wider efforts targeting cross-border militant infiltration and activities in the region.

Previous Security Incidents in December

On 16 December 2023, another encounter took place in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. This was the second consecutive day of exchange of fire between militants and security forces in the region. In the operation near Sohan village, two members of the Special Operations Group were injured, while a Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel lost his life in the previous day’s engagement.

Army Vehicle Accident in Doda Claims 10 Lives

Earlier, on 23 January, a tragic road accident claimed the lives of 10 soldiers when an Army vehicle skidded off a snow-covered road and fell into a 400-foot-deep gorge near Khanni Top on the Bhaderwah-Chamba inter-state road in Doda district. Eleven others sustained injuries and were airlifted to Udhampur Military Hospital.

District administration attributed the cause of the accident to slippery road conditions due to snow accumulation. Rescue operations were immediately launched following the incident.”

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