Operation Bihali: Encounter in Udhampur ahead of Amarnath Yatra; 4 terrorists trapped

New Delhi (India) June 26: According to sources, four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists who have been under surveillance for a year are stuck in a wooded area in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces are working to eliminate them in the bad weather.

The incident started this morning when a police and army search group conducted a joint search operation in the district's remote Bihali area of Basantgarh based on specific intelligence. A huge search is underway despite the poor weather, and reinforcements have been brought in.

The White Knight Corps of Army 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” in a post on social media platform X.

Inspector General of Police, Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti said, “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” in a statement.

He stated that despite the fog, a search was underway and that as the weather cleared, the true picture would become clear.

According to officials, the army's para commandos led a joint search mission that discovered the detained militants, who are members of the Pakistan-based JeM.

Operation Bihali is the code name for the operation. It takes place one week before the annual Amarnath yatra in the Kashmir Himalayas begins.

Ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have also advised pilgrims to refrain from travelling alone. The recent joint Army-police operation in Udhampur adds more importance to the advice.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police issued a brief caution that included two precautions: stay in escorted convoys and refrain from travelling alone.

On Wednesday, Udhampur held mock drills to get ready for any emergency. The National Disaster Response Force's (NDRF) 13th Battalion is based in Udhampur.

Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai said, “All arrangements have been put in place. The Udhampur district houses 26 lodgement centres with a capacity to accommodate 6,500 pilgrims. We have established centres to house pilgrims in case of any weather-related or other emergencies" in a statement.

Multi-layered security precautions for the Yatra have been carefully planned by security organisations, the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. This incident highlights the ongoing difficulties security personnel face in maintaining the region's peace and guaranteeing the protection of both residents and pilgrims.

Aadrika Tayal