Soldier killed, 2 others injured in action during anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur

A soldier of the Indian Army was killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Thursday. The operation, launched jointly by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, was triggered by intelligence inputs about the presence of armed militants in the Dudu-Basantgarh area.

According to officials, contact was established during a cordon and search operation in the forested terrain, following which a fierce gun battle erupted. The Army said one of its personnel sustained critical injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite receiving immediate medical attention.

The fallen soldier belonged to the White Knight Corps, which confirmed the casualty in an official post. The Army hailed the jawan’s bravery and assured that operations in the area would continue until the threat was fully neutralised.

The firefight comes amid heightened security tension in the region after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam where 26 people, including a foreign national and members of the armed forces and intelligence community, were killed.

This incident adds to the growing list of terror-linked activities in Jammu and Kashmir this week, putting forces on high alert. Evacuation of civilians from nearby locations has also been initiated as a precautionary measure.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and are continuing the combing operation to flush out any remaining threats. Reinforcements have been sent in, and drone surveillance is being used to assist in locating the hiding militants.