Army jawan martyred in gunfight with terrorists in Udhampur

JAMMU: A soldier was martyred in a gunfight between security forces and terrorists on Thursday in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir while the search operations in Lasana of Poonch district continued on consecutive 10th day.
As per official sources, a brief contact was established between security forces and terrorists when a search operation was launched on specific inputs about the movement of terrorists in the forest belt of Latti in Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur.
“The terrorists fired upon the search team and it was promptly retaliated,’ they added.
Meanwhile more reinforcement has been rushed to the spot and operation in the area was underway.
Taking to X, the Nagrota based Knight Corps posted, "Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with @JmuKmrPolice was launched today in Basantgarh, Udhampur.
“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,” stated that White Knight Corps spokesperson’ post on X.
Another post from White Knight Corps confirmed the fatality to troops and said, “GOC #WhiteKnightCorps and all ranks salute #Braveheart Hav Jhantu Ali Shaikh of 6 PARA SF, who made the supreme #sacrifice during a counter #terror #operation.”
“His indomitable courage and the valour of his team will never be forgotten,” it said, adding, “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this moment of grief.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also paid tributes to Army Braveheart Hav Jhantu Ali Shaikh, who laid down his life for the nation during an anti-terror operation in Udhampur.
“I bow to our army braveheart Hav Jhantu Ali Shaikh who made supreme sacrifice for the nation. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief," the Lieutenant Governor said.
Earlier on April 10, the security forces continued search operations after night-long cordons with additional troops rushed in Udhampur and Kishtwar districts as well to strengthen the cordon after brief gun fights between two sides on late Wednesday evening (April 9).
Security forces successfully eliminated three terrorists in a fierce encounter in Chatroo forest area of Kishtwar district. A huge cache of arms and ammunition have also been recovered from the spot. The gunfight broke out on Wednesday after security forces observed suspicious movement of terrorists in forests of Chatroo area of the district.
The security agencies have expanded the scope of surveillance to the Bhaderwah area of Doda district to keep a track on terrorists potentially moving between different locations in the hilly districts of the Jammu region. The operation in the area is still underway.
Meanwhile the Romeo Force of the Army and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, CRPF and Poonch Police continued their joint operation on Thursday for the 10th consecutive day in the forest area of Lasana in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir to trace terrorists believed to be hiding in the region after having a brief exchange on fire on April 14.
Officials said, “Massive joint search operations started on April 15 following an exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists on April 14.”
“Security forces have cordoned off the area and are conducting extensive search operations in dense forest zones in jointly cordoned off Phamarnar, Kiker Morh, Jabdan Gali and Harni in Gursai and Brella and Kasbalari in Mendhar and Bafliaz forest in Surankote.”
Meanwhile, the security forces have heightened alertness on the Jammu-Rajouri-Pooch highway 144.
“The search operation was underway, they said.