On Wednesday afternoon, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district killed two militants in an ongoing encounter in the Khandara Top area of Basantgarh. This operation comes just a week before the first phase of polling in J&K on September 18.
The Encounter Details
The action was verified by the Army’s Rising Star Corps, which tweeted, “Two terrorists neutralized in the ongoing operation at Khandara #Kathua by the Troops of Rising Star Corps.” Operations are underway. The district boundaries of Udhampur and Kathua are marked by the Khandara Top region.
The operation began when the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint combing and search effort from two directions—Basantgarh in Udhampur and Machedi in Kathua. The forces received information about four militants in the area and established contact around 12:50 pm. During the exchange of fire, two militants were killed.
This successful operation is notable as it is the first major success in the Basantgarh-Machedi region, which has seen several attacks recently. Since July 8, six security personnel have been killed in separate incidents in this area, including attacks in Kathua’s Badnota village and Chill in Udhampur.
Rising Terror Threat and Recent Attacks
The Basantgarh-Machedi belt has become a hotspot of militant activity. On July 8, an attack in Kathua’s Badnota village claimed the lives of four Army personnel and one police officer. More recently, on August 19, a CRPF officer was killed in Chill, Udhampur. These incidents underscore the rising threat in the region, with ongoing operations to neutralize militant activities.
In addition to these attacks, police have arrested around a dozen people and claimed to have dismantled a terror module that facilitated the movement of infiltrators from Pakistan. This module allegedly provided crucial support, including food and shelter, in the upper reaches of Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda districts.
The Broader Context
The Chenab Valley region, which includes Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, is set to see Assembly elections starting September 18. Udhampur, Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts will vote in the third phase on October 1. The timing of these operations highlights the heightened security measures being implemented in anticipation of the elections.
In the current encounter, security forces believe another militant may still be trapped in the Khandara Top area. Efforts are ongoing to neutralize this remaining threat.
Exclusive:.
Udhampur Basantgarh encounter
3 JeM(Banner KT) Terrorists have been killed by 1 Para SF in ongoing Encounter. Bodies will be retrieved soon. Stay tuned pic.twitter.com/pT5mqm2lRe
— War & Gore (@Goreunit) September 11, 2024Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Role
The two terrorists killed were affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group, a militant organization responsible for several high-profile attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The JeM has been actively involved in orchestrating attacks in the region, contributing to the security challenges faced by the forces.
The encounter at Khandara Top represents a significant success for the security forces in their ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. As operations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the upcoming elections and stabilizing the region.
Read More: Congress and Hindenburg Target SEBI Chairperson: Madhabi Puri Buch’s Silence Under Fire
