A Pakistani terrorist linked to the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Friday, officials said. The operation also claimed the life of an Army jawan, while several others were injured.
The terrorist has been identified as Usman, a JeM commander. He was neutralised during a joint operation carried out by a small team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army and the Central Reserve Police Force in the general area of Billawar.
Arms and ammunition recovered
Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Bhim Sen Tuti, confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that a Pakistani JeM terrorist had been neutralised in the operation. Officials said a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the slain terrorist, including an M4 automatic rifle.
Security agencies said the recovery indicates the terrorist’s role in planning or executing major attacks in the region.
Operation Trashi-I ongoing
The encounter took place as part of the ongoing Operation Trashi-I, aimed at flushing out JeM terrorists operating in the Jammu region.
During the operation, one Army jawan, Havildar Gajendra Singh, was killed in action. Seven other security personnel sustained injuries in the firefight and are undergoing treatment, officials said.
Recent JeM hideout busted
The Kathua encounter comes days after security forces busted an underground JeM hideout in the Kishtwar district. Located at an altitude of nearly 12,000 feet, the hideout had multiple entry and exit points and could accommodate more than four terrorists at a time.
Officials said the hideout was stocked with essential supplies, including food items, cooking gas, desi ghee, cereals and blankets, indicating prolonged terrorist presence in the high-altitude area.
Security forces said operations would continue to ensure the complete elimination of terrorist networks in the region.