An ongoing encounter in the Basantgarh area of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district has resulted in the neutralization of one terrorist. The operation, codenamed "Operation Bihali," is a joint effort by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, initiated on Thursday morning, June 26, 2025, based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants in the area.

The operation was launched in the remote Bihali area of Basantgarh. Security forces established contact with a group of terrorists, believed to be four in number, leading to an exchange of fire. Reinforcements were immediately rushed to the location to tighten the cordon and assist in the ongoing operation.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Jammu range, Bhim Sen Tuti, informed reporters that the group of terrorists had been tracked for the past year. Despite challenging weather conditions, including rain and fog, the security forces have maintained their efforts to neutralize the remaining militants. Officials have indicated that the trapped terrorists are members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and were located near the Karoor nallah by the joint search party, which included the Army's Para Commandos.

The Army's White Knight Corps confirmed the ongoing operation in a post on social media platform X, stating that the joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched based on specific intelligence. The post further noted that contact had been established with the terrorists, and the operation was in progress.

The encounter in Basantgarh occurs a week before the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3. In preparation for the Yatra, security forces had conducted a joint mock drill at the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district on Wednesday, involving multiple agencies, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, NDRF, SDRF, CRPF, the Indian Army, Health Department, and Fire and Emergency Services.

This operation follows increased security measures in Jammu and Kashmir after an attack on tourists in Pahalgam in April, where terrorists killed 25 tourists and one local. Since then, security forces have intensified operations against terrorists and their support networks in the region. In a recent breakthrough, two local men who allegedly provided shelter to the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were arrested. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) also determined that all three gunmen in the Pahalgam attack were from Pakistan.

The ongoing operation in Basantgarh highlights the continuous efforts by security forces to maintain peace and security in the region, particularly ahead of significant events like the Amarnath Yatra.