#JUSTIN: Massive Cordon-and-Search Operation in Udhampur as Forces Hunt Jaish Terrorists

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified a large-scale cordon-and-search operation in Soan village, located in the Majalta area of Udhampur district, targeting three terrorists believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit. The operation, which resumed at first light on Tuesday following an overnight suspension, involves additional reinforcements to ensure no escape routes remain open.

The encounter erupted on Monday evening around 6 pm after precise intelligence inputs led a joint team of the police Special Operations Group, Indian Army, and Central Reserve Police Force to the remote forested village. Initial contact resulted in a fierce exchange of fire, during which one terrorist was believed to have been injured, while two policemen sustained minor bullet wounds.

Tragically, Special Operations Group jawan Amjad Pathan, a resident of Salva in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district, succumbed to injuries sustained in the gunfire. Pathan, son of Bashrat Khan, was part of the small initial team that engaged the militants. His body is awaiting post-mortem, after which a wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled in Udhampur to honor his sacrifice.

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The operation has been bolstered with the deployment of sniffer dogs and strengthened perimeters to comb the dense and treacherous terrain. Darkness and challenging topography had previously impeded thorough searches overnight, but authorities remain determined to neutralize the remaining threats.

The Basantgarh region, encompassing nearby areas, has long served as a key infiltration corridor for terrorists crossing from the International Border in Kathua, en route to higher reaches in Doda, Kishtwar, and ultimately the Kashmir Valley. This strategic vulnerability has contributed to multiple security incidents in recent years, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by forces in maintaining peace in the Jammu division.

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