Jammu, Dec 16(KNB): A Special Operations Group (SOG) jawan was killed while two others sustained injuries during an encounter with terrorists in Sohan village of Majalta tehsil in Udhampur district on Monday evening. A terrorist is also believed to have been injured in the gunfight.
The slain jawan has been identified as Amjad Pathan, son of Bashrat Khan, a resident of Salva area of Mendhar in Poonch district. The injured personnel were shifted to a medical facility for treatment.
According to officials, the encounter broke out after security forces launched an intelligence-based search operation in the hilly village following specific inputs about the presence of three terrorists, suspected to be affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
“In an intelligence-based operation, the Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with alert troops of the Indian Army, established contact with terrorists in the general area of Sohan in Udhampur district,” the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X. It added that an exchange of fire took place and the operation is underway.
Police said contact was established after precise information was received about the terrorists hiding in the remote area. A joint team of SOG, Army and CRPF is engaged in the operation.
IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, in a post, said that a very small SOG team initially engaged the terrorists, adding that combing operations were hampered due to darkness and the treacherous terrain.
Officials said the encounter began around 6 pm and continued for some time. The operation was later suspended for the night and will resume with first light on Tuesday. The area has been placed under a tight security cordon, with all possible escape routes sealed.
Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon and neutralize the terrorists, officials said.(KNB)