2 terrorists killed in Udhampur encounter: Army

Jammu, Feb 4: Two terrorists, both believed to be foreigners, were killed by security forces on the second day of the encounter in Udhampur.

The encounter started on Tuesday when a joint team of the Army, Police, and CRPF was conducting an intelligence based search operation in areas of Jophar forest falling under the jurisdiction of Majalta Police Station in Udhampur district.

Army officials said that on the second day of the encounter between terrorists and security forces, entire area got rattled with gunshots.

The terrorists were reportedly holed up inside a natural cave in the area and were firing at the security forces from inside.

On Wednesday afternoon, amid heavy gunfire, security forces reportedly destroyed the natural cave with explosive material.

The Army officials said that both the terrorists were killed on the second day of gunfight with bodies of both retrieved later from the cave.

Army officials said that the eliminated terrorists officials were believed to be foreigners and active in the area since last couple of years and could have been involved in various terror actions.

Security forces also recovered war-like stores from the eliminated terrorists including a M4 rifle, two M4 magazines, 57 bullets, an AK56 rifle, four AK magazines, 89 AK bullets, three Chinese grenades, a binocular, and other incriminating material including mobile phone chargers.

An official statement of the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps said the operation had been referred to as ‘Operation Kiya’ and it had been informed that based on specific intelligence input provided by J&K Police, troops of CIF Delta, White Knight Corps, planned and executed a focused joint counter-terror operation in the general area of Jophar Forest, Basantgarh, in coordination with J&K Police and CRPF reinforcing the cordon, ensuring effective area domination to prevent escape of terrorists.

“Contact with terrorists was established on Tuesday. Since then, terrorists were prevented from breaking contact,” the Army said. “Following a calibrated and coordinated response, two terrorists have been killed.”

The operation highlighted seamless inter-agency coordination, tactical precision and high standards of professionalism, the Army said.

It said that the operation concluded successfully and area remained under surveillance.

Meanwhile, a statement of the Indian Army’s Northern Command said that Army Commander Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, complimented White Knight Corps for their swift and precise action to kill the two terrorists in ‘Op Kiya’ in Basantgarh.

“The Army Commander commends the commanders and troops on ground for their persistence over a long period in challenging terrain and weather conditions,” the statement said. “The Northern Command remains committed to ensuring a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir.”