Suspects' Movements and Immediate Response in Udhampur
According to preliminary intelligence, the suspected terrorists in J&K – believed to be armed and linked to cross-border networks – approached a local resident in Chilla Balota village, Udhampur, where they demanded and obtained food supplies. The trio then fled into the nearby forest toward the challenging Basantgarh dense forests, exploiting the rugged hilly terrain and thick forest cover that complicates anti-terror search operations.
Upon receiving the tip-off, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) swiftly cordon and search operationed the entire area. A comprehensive Udhampur forest search is underway, bolstered by advanced assets including drones for aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs for tracking. Door-to-door searches are being conducted in surrounding villages, with additional security personnel deployed to tighten the net. Multiple checkpoints on escape routes have been established to prevent any terror suspects' evasion in this volatile Jammu region.
Local residents in Udhampur and Basantgarh have been advised to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately to J&K Police helplines, emphasizing community cooperation in dismantling terrorist hideouts in Jammu Kashmir.
Broader Counter-Terrorism Drive: JeI Raids and Arrests
This Udhampur suspected terrorists sighting aligns with intensified Jammu Kashmir anti-terror operations since the November 10 Delhi explosion, where possible terror links to J&K are under NIA scrutiny. On the same day, police raids on Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) – the banned terrorist organization in India – targeted multiple locations across five J&K districts: Shopian, Pulwama, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Kulgam.
During these JeI terror network raids on November 27, forces seized incriminating documents, mobile phones, and laptops linked to financial and logistic support for terrorists. Verification drives involved questioning individuals suspected of ties to overground workers (OGWs) and Jehadi elements in Kashmir Valley. The operations aim to eliminate terrorist support networks, curb banned organizations' resurgence, and neutralize J&K terror financing channels.
In a related development, Jammu Police arrested a 19-year-old youth from Reasi district, residing in Bhatindi, Jammu, on charges of terrorist involvement and online radicalization. Investigations revealed frequent communications with Pakistan-based foreign numbers, indicating plans for a potential terrorist attack in Jammu. Digital devices seized from the suspect are under forensic examination at Bahu Fort Police Station, with a case registered under anti-terror laws.
Visuals from Shopian JeI Raids: Intensified Security Measures
- Shopian deployment: A large contingent of J&K Police and CRPF maintained a heavy presence during the search operation against banned JeI.
- Document scrutiny: Authorities examined papers connected to the Jamaat-e-Islami terrorist outfit.
- Electronic device checks: Mobiles and laptops were confiscated to disrupt digital terror propaganda and communications.
Historical Context: Ongoing Crackdown on Terror Networks
These actions build on prior J&K security operations, including the Anantnag search on November 12 targeting similar terror support ecosystems. On November 20, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) raided the premises of Kashmir Times – Jammu Kashmir's oldest English daily, founded in 1954 by Ved Bhasin – probing potential links to proscribed groups.
Officials stress that such coordinated anti-terror raids in J&K are crucial to preventing JeI reactivation, identifying OGWs providing aid to militants, and ensuring public safety. Local cooperation is urged to report illegal activities and suspicious movements in Jammu, Kashmir Valley, and border areas.
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