JAMMU: Security forces shot dead a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist Thursday during a gunfight in the rain-soaked forests of Basantgarh in J&K’s Udhampur district, where three of his associates remain trapped.Jammu range IG Bhim Sen Tuti said the terrorists are likely part of a group that police have been tracking in the Jammu region for nearly a year. “The weather is bad in Basantgarh. Once it clears, the situation will become more evident,” he said.Acting on intelligence inputs about the movement of a group of 3–4 terrorists, a joint team of Army and police launched a seek-and-shoot operation in the remote Bihali area early morning.“As the forces approached the location, the terrorists started shooting. Retaliatory shots were fired, resulting in the death of one terrorist. The operation is ongoing,” a senior official said. Additional troops have been rushed in to cut off possible escape routes.Monsoon rain, while slowing troop movement, is helping forces restrict the terrorists’ range and pin them within the forest.Tight security preparations are also underway for Amarnath Yatra scheduled from July 3 to Aug 9. “J&K police are fully ready to secure every pilgrim,” Tuti said. Around 30 additional companies have been deployed this year. He urged pilgrims to avoid independent travel and stick to official convoys for a safe journey.
