UDHAMPUR: In a major counter-terrorism success, security forces on Thursday morning eliminated two Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit during a high-stakes intelligence-based encounter code-named ‘Operation Sohan’ in the Brattal area of Majalta, Udhampur district.

The anti-terror operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the dense forest belts of Brattal-Sohan and Khubban amid torrential rainfall, rugged mountainous terrain, and heavily compromised visibility.

White Knight Corps (Official Statement via X)
“Despite hostile weather, difficult terrain and poor visibility, troops of White Knight Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF launched a targeted counter-terrorism operation, resulting in the neutralisation of two terrorists.”

According to official sources, intelligence wings had been actively tracking the suspicious movement of a heavily armed terrorist cadre across the thick forest tract for several days. Acting upon concrete coordinates, combined forces cordoned off the targeted area around 9:00 PM on Wednesday night, establishing initial contact with the terrorists.

Intermittent gunfire and explosions echoed through the forested belt following the initial cordon. While a brief lull prevailed during the night, the gunfight flared up again on Thursday morning when the holed-up terrorists unleashed heavy fire in a desperate bid to puncture the security dragnet.

Jammu & Kashmir Police (Official Statement via X)
“You can run but you can’t hide! The two Pakistani terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit have been neutralised during Op Sohan and identified as Saddam and Mustafa. An AK Assault Rifle (with 4 magazines); M4 Carbine (with 3 magazines); a Glock Pistol (with 2 magazines) and four grenades have been recovered from them.”

The bodies of both slain terrorists were later retrieved by search parties from an area covered by thick wild vegetation and treacherous slopes.

In addition to the operational eliminations, security forces intercepted and detained a local youth suspected of functioning as an over-ground worker (OGW) aiding the module. He has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing intensive joint interrogation to determine logistical and infiltration linkages.

Officials confirmed that ‘Operation Sohan’ remains underway. Sustained search, sweep, and technical surveillance operations are being actively conducted throughout the surrounding hill tracts and forest boundaries to rule out any peripheral presence.