Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir: A fierce gunbattle unfolded on Thursday in the dense forests of Basantgarh’s Bihali area, Udhampur district, as security forces launched Operation Bihali. Four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists—tracked for over a year—are now trapped, with army and police units engaged despite challenging rain and fog, reports claimed.
“Contact was established with the terrorists around 8.30 am… they are believed to be four in number and we have been tracking (this group) for the last one year,” Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Bhim Sen Tuti said, according to India Today.
The joint army‑police operation sprang from specific intelligence and that the para-commandos of the Indian Army discovered the group hiding near Karoor Nallah.
In a statement on X, the Army’s White Knight Corps said, “Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation was launched by Indian Army and J&K Police in the Bihali area of Basantgarh. Contact has been established with terrorists. The operation is currently in progress.”
The operation proceeds amid poor visibility, with authorities cautioning that full situational clarity will only emerge once weather conditions improve.
The encounter is occurring just one week ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra—heightening security sensitivities across the region.
Additional sweeps are being conducted elsewhere in the Jammu division: a late‑night search in Samba district’s Purmandal area turned up no militants, but authorities maintain heightened alert.
Check out the details:
Terrorist Group Pakistan-based JeM
Trapped Four suspected terrorists
Location Basantgarh’s Bihali forest, near Karoor Nallah
Operation Name Operation Bihali
Forces Involved Indian Army (including para-commandos), J&K Police
Challenges Rain, fog—visibility poor
Public Safety Proactive high-alert status issued pre-Amarnath Yatra
