One JeM militant neutralised as Operation Bihali unfolds amid ongoing encounter in Jammu-Kashmir
by Utsav RoyOne terrorist affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was eliminated during a coordinated operation carried out by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, according to official sources on Thursday.
In a post shared on X, the Indian Army’s 16 Corps confirmed that one JeM militant had been neutralised in the Basantgarh region of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district as part of an ongoing mission, codenamed Operation Bihali.
The encounter began in the morning hours in Basantgarh, with security personnel initiating a joint offensive based on precise intelligence inputs. Authorities reported that the operation was still in progress, indicating the presence of more armed militants in the area.
According to officials, Operation Bihali was launched targeting a group of JeM terrorists who had been under close surveillance for the past year. Earlier in the day, security forces established contact with the group around 8:30 am in a dense forest area near Bihali, a remote region known for its difficult terrain.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Range, Bhim Sen Tuti, confirmed that the militants, believed to number four, were cornered in a forested zone, despite difficult weather conditions, including dense fog. “We have been tracking this group for nearly a year. Contact was made earlier this morning. The operation is ongoing, and clarity will improve once the weather settles,” he said during a media interaction in Jammu.
Additional information revealed that the terrorists, all affiliated with Pakistan-based JeM, had taken shelter near Karoor Nallah. Their location was identified through coordinated surveillance, and the search party,led by elite para commandos of the Indian Army, moved in to intercept them.
The tactical operation is being viewed as a significant pre-emptive move, especially with the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin in a few days. Authorities believe that neutralising these infiltrators ahead of the pilgrimage is essential for ensuring security across the region.
Operation Bihali reflects a larger counterterrorism initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, with heightened vigilance in vulnerable districts. With the operation still active and the potential presence of additional terrorists, the situation remains tense but under firm control.
Security forces continue their search despite weather-related challenges, aiming to bring the operation to a complete and secure conclusion.