Security cordon tightened after gunfight in J&K’s Udhampur

Jammu: A terrorist is suspected to have been injured in an encounter with security forces in a forested village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday evening, officials said.

The gunfight broke out around 6 pm at Soan village in the Majalta area after security forces launched a search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). While the exchange of fire has since stopped, the area has been placed under a tight security cordon, with all possible escape routes sealed.

Inspector General of Police (Jammu zone) Bhim Sen Tuti said contact was established with the terrorists following precise inputs received by the police. A joint team comprising the police Special Operations Group (SOG), the Army and the CRPF is carrying out the operation.

In a social media post, the IGP said a small SOG team initially engaged the terrorists. He added that combing operations were hampered by darkness and the difficult terrain.

Officials said one terrorist was likely hit during the initial exchange of fire. The operation was suspended for the night and will resume at daybreak on Tuesday. Additional forces have been deployed in the area to reinforce the cordon and continue the operation, they added.
(With PTI inputs)