Unidentified terrorist killed in overnight encounter during anti-terror operation in J&K

An unidentified terrorist was killed in a night-long encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district , officials said on Wednesday, as a counter-terror operation continued in the area.

The gunfight broke out in the Arhama forest area of central Kashmir after security agencies received specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants hiding in the region. Acting on the information, security forces launched a cordon and search operation on Tuesday evening involving the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police , officials said.

According to the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps , troops conducting the search noticed suspicious movement during the operation. When challenged, the militants opened fire, triggering a gunbattle with security personnel.

The Army said the cordon around the area was tactically reorganised amid intermittent firing during the night as troops continued to maintain pressure on the hiding militants. Security forces retaliated with a calibrated response , resulting in the elimination of one terrorist during the exchange of fire.

Officials said the encounter started late on Tuesday and continued into the early hours of Wednesday. At one stage, the operation was temporarily paused due to darkness and resumed at first light while troops tightened the cordon to prevent any possible escape.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain militant have not yet been established. Security forces have intensified searches in the forested area to ensure that no other militants remain trapped, and the anti-terror operation is still underway , officials added.