Is It Another Setback for the Army in J&K?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Joint forces are actively engaged in operations against terrorism in J&K.
- An Army soldier was injured in the latest encounter in Udhampur.
- Ongoing anti-terror operations are also taking place in Kishtwar.
- The recovery of arms and ammunition is a significant focus of these operations.
- Drug trafficking is linked to funding terrorism in the region.
Jammu, Sep 20 (NationPress) An Indian Army soldier sustained injuries on Saturday during a fierce exchange of fire in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), while an ongoing anti-terror operation is also taking place in Kishtwar. Officials reported that the skirmish erupted between joint forces and militants in Udhampur today, resulting in injuries to the soldier.
Following specific intelligence, combined forces initiated an operation in the Dudu area, which is on the border of the Seoj Dhar high-altitude region, situated between Doda and Udhampur.
As the joint forces advanced towards the militants, an armed confrontation ensued, which is still ongoing. “Encounter is in progress. Joint teams of SOG, police, and the Indian Army are on the ground,” noted the Jammu IGP in a post on X.
Earlier, on June 26, a top commander of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), known as Haider, was eliminated during an encounter in the Dudu-Basantgarh forest after being active in the region for four years.
On April 25, another Army soldier lost his life in a similar confrontation with hiding militants in the Basantgarh area.
Meanwhile, in Kishtwar district, an anti-terror operation persists, while joint forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in a separate operation in Poonch district.
The Indian Army's Nagrota-based White Knight Corps stated, “Contact with terrorists was established during an intelligence-driven operation in the Kishtwar area around 8 P.M. on September 19, leading to an exchange of fire. Operations are currently ongoing.”
In a coordinated effort in Poonch district, troops recovered significant war-like stores, including one weapon, four AK magazines, and twenty hand grenades. “#JointOperation | Recovery of War Like Stores. Alert #WhiteKnightCorps troops while carrying out an Intelligence-based joint search operation with #JKP, recovered one weapon (AK Series), four AK magazines, 20 Hand Grenades and other war-like stores in Poonch Sector. #SearchOperation in progress,” the White Knight Corps tweeted.
Joint forces have escalated their operations against militants, their over-ground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers in J&K. Drug traffickers and peddlers are also under scrutiny, as intelligence agencies believe that funds from drug smuggling and hawala operations ultimately support terrorism in the Union Territory.
The comprehensive strategy of targeting militants, OGWs, sympathizers, and drug traffickers aims to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terror in J&K. Intelligence agencies have traced numerous drug smuggling and hawala operations back to networks across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).
J&K features a 240-km International Border, including Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts, alongside a 740-km LoC in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora in the Valley, and Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu division. The BSF is responsible for securing the International Border, while the Army defends the LoC.