Army Soldier Martyred in Ongoing Encounter with Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur District
UDHAMPUR, J&K: A fierce gunbattle broke out on Thursday between security forces and terrorists in the Dudu-Basantgarh area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, resulting in the death of an army soldier, officials confirmed.
The encounter began during a joint cordon and search operation launched after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of armed militants in the region.
According to official sources, the operation was initiated by a joint team comprising personnel from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, the security forces launched a combing operation in the remote and densely forested area of Basantgarh in the early hours of Thursday.
As the forces closed in on a suspected hideout, they came under heavy fire from terrorists, triggering a fierce firefight.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the ongoing operation and the loss of one of its soldiers.
“Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched today in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur. Contact was established with the terrorists, and a fierce firefight ensued,” the post read.
Tragically, one of the army personnel sustained critical injuries during the initial exchange of gunfire. Despite receiving immediate medical attention and efforts to save his life, the soldier succumbed to his injuries, the army said in its official statement.
“One of our bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite best medical efforts,” it said, honoring the soldier’s sacrifice.
The identity of the fallen soldier has not yet been officially released, pending notification of next of kin. Meanwhile, the area remains under tight security as the encounter continued well into the day, with reinforcements deployed to the location and a wider perimeter secured to prevent any escape by the militants.
The Dudu-Basantgarh belt, known for its challenging terrain and dense forest cover, has historically seen limited terrorist activity.
However, Thursday’s incident highlights a possible shift in militant movement or infiltration patterns, prompting renewed vigilance by the security forces.
Senior officials are closely monitoring the situation, and the Army and police forces remain on high alert. Further details, including the number of terrorists involved and their identities, are awaited as the search operation progresses.
This latest confrontation underscores the persistent threat posed by terror elements in Jammu and Kashmir, even in areas that had seen relative calm in recent times.
The Indian Army reiterated its commitment to ensuring peace and security in the region, vowing to continue its efforts to neutralize any threat posed by terrorists.
