Encounter erupts in Udhampur forest as four Jaish‑e‑Mohammad terrorists trapped ahead of Amarnath yatra

A joint operation between the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police, codenamed Operation Bihali, has resulted in a gunbattle in the Bihali forest near Basantgarh in Udhampur district.

The confrontation began early morning June 26 after intelligence identified a group of four Jaish‑e‑Mohammad terrorists hiding in dense forest under conditions of heavy rain and fog.

Security forces, including para commandos, have surrounded and engaged the militants, confirming that contact was established and a firefight broke out.

Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the scene. Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti told reporters the operation is ongoing and will continue until the terrorists are neutralized.

The timing of the encounter—just a week before the Amarnath yatra begins on July 3—is notable, prompting heightened security measures.

Pilgrims have been advised to travel in escorted convoys, and local authorities continue conducting mock drills and deploying aircraft and canine units for surveillance.

Jaish‑e‑Mohammad, a Pakistan-based terror outfit, has been linked to multiple high-profile attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, including the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing .

The group has been under surveillance in the region for over a year, and security officials say this cell had been tracked closely .

This incident follows several recent terror engagements in J&K, including encounters in Kishtwar and Kathua.