Security Forces Clash with Militants in Udhampur Two Days After Deadly Pahalgam Assault

An encounter between security forces and militants broke out on Thursday morning near Basantgarh in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, two days after a deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam, south Kashmir. The operation began when security forces made contact with militants during a search operation that had been ongoing for several days.

According to reports, the search mission was launched after intelligence suggested the presence of militants in the area. The operation escalated when militants opened fire on security personnel as they reached the Berolay area, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

Basantgarh is located approximately three hours on foot from the area, and it is primarily used by nomads for grazing cattle. The ongoing search is part of larger efforts to locate and neutralise militants in the region.

In a separate incident, two militants were killed in another encounter in the Uri sector of north Kashmir on Wednesday. The operation commenced early in the morning after the Army spotted a group of militants attempting to infiltrate into the Valley via a stream in Baramulla. When the infiltrators were challenged by the troops, they opened fire, prompting a gunfight in which the militants were neutralised.

These search operations and encounters follow the horrific attack on Tuesday in Pahalgam, where 25 tourists and a local pony wallah were killed. The security forces are intensifying their efforts to track down militants and prevent further infiltration into the region.​