Policeman Killed in Anti-Terror Operation in Udhampur

Jammu, Dec 2025 : One Jammu and Kashmir Police constable lost his life, while a terrorist is believed to have been injured during an ongoing anti-terror operation in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said. The encounter took place in Sohan village of Majalta tehsil, a remote and forested area where security forces launched a coordinated search operation based on specific intelligence inputs.

According to officials, the slain policeman belonged to the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. He has been identified as Constable Amjad Pathan, son of Bashrat Khan, a resident of Salva village in Mendhar area of Poonch district. Two other SOG personnel sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and were shifted to a medical facility for treatment.

The gunfight began after a joint team of the Army and the SOG launched a search operation following information about the presence of three terrorists in the area. The terrorists are suspected to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. Contact was established when the security forces reached the suspected hideout, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.

Officials said firing continued for some time on Monday evening, around 6 p.m., before being suspended due to darkness and the difficult terrain. One SOG jawan was critically injured during the initial exchange and later succumbed to his injuries. Security agencies also believe that one of the terrorists was injured in the gunfight, though there has been no official confirmation so far.

The Army’s White Knight Corps, headquartered at Nagrota, confirmed the operation through a post on social media platform X. “In an intelligence-based operation, Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police and the Army engaged terrorists in a gunfight in the general area of Sohan, Udhampur district. Fire was exchanged with terrorists and the operation is in progress,” the statement said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, said the operation was challenging due to the nature of the terrain. “A very small SOG team engaged the terrorists. Combing of the forest area was impeded due to darkness and treacherous terrain,” he said, adding that the operation was resumed at first light on Tuesday.

Though firing exchanges stopped by Tuesday morning, the area has been placed under a tight security cordon. Officials said all possible escape routes have been sealed to prevent the terrorists from fleeing. Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon and intensify search and combing operations.

Security forces said the operation will continue until the terrorists are neutralised, as efforts remain focused on ensuring the safety of civilians and eliminating the threat posed by militant groups in the region.

Team Maverick.