JAMMU: The Army soldier injured in the ongoing encounter between the joint forces and terrorists in Dudu Basantgarh area bordering Jammu and Kashmir's Doda and Udhampur districts succumbed on Saturday.
The anti-terrorist operation was started by the joint forces in the upper reaches of the Dudu Basantgarh area bordering between Doda and Udhampur districts after specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
Officials said one soldier, who sustained injuries during the initial firing exchanges, has succumbed.
His identity is being withheld pending formal procedures. The sacrifice, officials noted, reflects the continued challenges faced by security forces in counter-militancy operations across hilly terrain.
Preliminary reports suggest that two to three militants remain trapped as the encounter continues. Additional reinforcements have been rushed, and joint forces are maintaining tight cordons to prevent escape routes.
Security forces have intensified operations in recent weeks in Doda and adjoining areas, citing renewed terrorist activity in the higher reaches.
"Encounter is in progress. Joint teams of SOG, police and Indian Army on ground, " Jammu IGP said in a post on X.
On June 26 this year, Haider, a terrorist, was killed in an encounter in the Dudu-Basantgarh forest, who was a top commander of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
He had been active in the area for the past four years.