An Indian Army soldier was killed in a fierce encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday, April 24, 2025, officials confirmed. The operation was launched after intelligence inputs pointed to the presence of militants in the area.
Firefight erupts in remote forested area
The cordon and search operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, under the aegis of the White Knight Corps. “Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation was launched in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur,” the Army said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Soon after establishing contact, a fierce firefight ensued in the dense terrain. One soldier suffered grievous injuries during the initial exchange of fire and later succumbed despite best medical efforts, the Army added.
Operation ongoing
As of the latest update, the operation was still underway, with reinforcements and additional security forces deployed to flush out any remaining militants. The identity and number of militants involved remain unconfirmed at this stage.
This comes just days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead and heightened security alert levels across Jammu and Kashmir.
