Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have launched multiple counter-terrorism operations aimed at neutralising militant threats across the Union Territory. The operations, currently underway in the Rajouri and Udhampur districts, reflect an intensified effort by security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the region amid a recent uptick in infiltration and terror-related incidents.
The first major operation began late Tuesday night in the Beeranthub area of Rajouri district, located under the jurisdiction of Kandi Police Station. Acting on credible intelligence about the movement of three to four heavily armed terrorists, a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), the Indian Army, and paramilitary units cordoned off the area. As security forces moved in to close the perimeter, the terrorists opened fire, sparking a fierce gunfight that continued through the night.
Officials confirmed that the exchange of fire was intense, with the terrorists using automatic weapons from concealed positions in the rugged forest terrain. Security forces responded with precision fire to contain the threat and prevent the militants from escaping. Reinforcements were immediately deployed to strengthen the cordon and maintain complete area dominance. The operation remains ongoing as of Wednesday, with security personnel conducting thorough searches to ensure all possible hideouts are cleared.
Preliminary intelligence inputs suggest that the group may belong to a Pakistan-based terror outfit that recently infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC). Rajouri district has witnessed a series of such infiltration attempts in recent months, prompting a renewed security focus on high-altitude villages and forested regions known for providing cover to militants.
In a parallel development, another counter-terror operation is underway in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, specifically in the remote and mountainous Dharni Top region. Based on intelligence indicating the presence of three suspected terrorists navigating through the dense forest belt, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces. The region, known for its challenging terrain and thick vegetation, makes search operations particularly demanding.
To prevent any possible escape, security forces quickly sealed off all entry and exit points in the area. Teams are now combing through the forests in a systematic manner, using drones and night-vision equipment to detect movement. Officials described the operation as “high-risk but well-coordinated,” noting that the primary objective is to neutralise the militants before they can regroup or cross into neighbouring districts.
Both Rajouri and Udhampur districts have become recent focal points for counter-insurgency efforts following a series of terror encounters and infiltration attempts along the LoC. Over the past year, the region has seen increased activity from foreign-trained militants attempting to revive sleeper cells and establish new bases in the Pir Panjal range.
Security officials believe the latest coordinated operations are part of a broader strategy to disrupt militant movement corridors that link the Jammu division to South Kashmir. The presence of multiple armed groups in these regions has prompted the deployment of additional troops and advanced surveillance assets, including thermal imaging devices and unmanned aerial systems.
An official involved in the Rajouri operation stated that while the situation remains tense, forces are confident of success. “We are maintaining tight control over the area. Our teams are fully alert, and we will continue the operation until the threat is completely eliminated,” he said.
In recent years, Jammu and Kashmir’s security apparatus has increasingly relied on real-time intelligence and inter-agency coordination to pre-empt terror activities. The use of integrated command centers and joint task forces has helped ensure swift mobilisation of resources whenever actionable inputs are received.
Local residents in both Rajouri and Udhampur have been advised to remain indoors and report any suspicious movement to nearby security posts. Authorities have also increased night patrolling and deployed additional checkpoints on key routes leading to forested zones.
The ongoing operations underscore the persistent challenge faced by security forces in balancing counter-insurgency measures with the safety of local populations. With both encounters still active, officials have stressed that the mission’s ultimate objective is to restore complete peace and stability in the affected areas.
The sustained efforts of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and central armed forces reflect a unified approach toward combating terrorism in the region. As the operations continue, security agencies remain determined to ensure that militant networks are dismantled and peace is preserved across Jammu and Kashmir.
