J&K’s Udhampur Sees Fierce Gunfight As Security Forces Corner Two Terrorists In Forest Caves

A late-night encounter in Basantgarh triggered an intense multi-agency operation after terrorists opened fire and attempted to escape under the cover of darkness.

Top Summary

What happened: A gunfight broke out between security forces and terrorists in Udhampur’s Basantgarh, with one Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist shot and two others hiding inside a cave.

Why it matters now: The encounter triggered two simultaneous operations, involving the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF after specific intel on terrorist movement.

What changes for people: Civilian movement around Basantgarh and nearby forest belts remains restricted as forces tighten the cordon-and-search.

Who is affected: Residents in the Basantgarh–Ramnagar belt, security forces involved in the operation, and agencies tracking Jaish-linked infiltration routes.

An intense gunbattle erupted in Udhampur’s Basantgarh region on Tuesday after security forces launched a coordinated search operation based on credible intelligence about terrorist presence. One Jaish-e-Mohammed militant was hit during the firefight, while two others retreated into a forest cave system.

How the encounter began

Acting on specific inputs, teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force, and the Army’s CIF Delta unit moved into the dense Basantgarh forests.

As they approached the suspected hideout, terrorists opened fire, sparking a nearly hour-long exchange.

One terrorist was shot but managed to crawl back into the cave with his accomplice.

PTI reported that the firing first erupted in the Ramnagar–Jaffar jungle zone, where forces engaged the militants hiding deep inside the forest.

Terrorists tried escaping at night

Around 7:30 pm, the terrorists attempted to use the darkness to slip out of the cave.

Security forces spotted movement, leading to fresh gunfire and loud explosions echoing through the valley.

Additional reinforcements were immediately rushed to the area, and the entire stretch was placed under tight cordon, blocking all escape routes.

Officials said the cave network may have multiple narrow entry points, complicating the operation.

Second operation launched simultaneously

With intel indicating possible movement of a second group nearby, the Army initiated a parallel operation, ensuring no infiltration route remains open.

Forces are tracking thermal signatures, drone feeds, and ground sensors to identify the exact cave structure where the two attackers are believed to be hiding.

Commanders say the operation will continue until the terrorists are either neutralised or captured.