Army Soldier Martyred in Udhampur Encounter with Terrorists

An Indian Army 's Havaldar Jhantu Ali Shaikh of the elite 6 Para Special Forces made the ultimate sacrifice on Thursday during a fierce encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district. The brave jawan was fatally wounded in the initial exchange of gunfire that erupted when security forces made contact with militants in the remote Dudu-Basantgarh area. 

The operation was launched as a joint mission between the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police following specific intelligence about terrorist presence in the region. Security forces had established a cordon and search operation when they encountered resistance from the hidden militants.

"Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched today in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur," the White Knight Corps announced on social media platform X. "Contact was established and a fierce firefight ensued. One of our bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite best medical efforts."

The mountainous Dudu-Basantgarh area, located in the upper reaches of Udhampur district, has dense forest cover that has historically provided cover for terrorist movement between the Jammu region and Kashmir Valley. 

This operation comes amid ongoing security concerns in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with forces maintaining vigilance against terrorist activities throughout the region.