Security Tightened Along Jammu-Srinagar Highway After Terror Encounter in Udhampur

Udhampur, Sep 20: Security forces have heightened vigil across Udhampur district, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, following an encounter with terrorists in the Seoj Dhar area on the Doda-Udhampur border, officials said on Saturday.

The gunfight began around 8 p.m. on Friday when troops of the White Knight Corps established contact with terrorists in the forested region. Joint teams of the Army and J\&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) have been deployed to flush out the militants.

Inspector General of Police (Jammu) Anand Jain confirmed the development on X, saying, “On actionable intelligence, contact established with terrorists at Seoj Dhar. Encounter in progress. Joint teams of SOG-JKP and the Indian Army on the ground.”

Officials said one soldier was injured in the exchange of fire. Additional reinforcements, including drones and helicopters, have been pressed into service amid reports that two to three Pakistani terrorists may be trapped.

The operation is still underway, and further details are awaited.

Earlier this month, security forces concluded ‘Operation Gudder’ in Kulgam, where two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists – Rahman, a Pakistani national, and Amir Ahmed Dar of Shopian – were killed. A cache of arms, ammunition, and other warlike stores was also recovered.