Kashmir Impulse Desk
Jammu, Sep 17
Security forces killed two Pakistani nationals suspected of belonging to Jaish-e-Muhammad in an overnight operation in the forests of Udhampur district, police said on Thursday.
The operation took place in the Soan-Brattal area of Majalta amid difficult weather and terrain conditions, police said.
An alleged overground worker suspected of helping the militants with movement, logistics and shelter was detained for questioning, officials said.
Security forces recovered an AK-pattern assault rifle, an M4 carbine, a Glock pistol, magazines and grenades from the site, police said.
The search operation in the surrounding forests was continuing.
Police identified the two men as Saddam and Mustafa and said both were Pakistani nationals.
The Army’s White Knight Corps said the operation, launched on the night of September 16-17 on the basis of intelligence inputs, involved the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force.
The forces established contact with the suspects after launching a cordon and search operation following reports of suspicious movement, officials said.
Officials said an initial exchange of fire took place during the night of September 15-16. After a lull, security forces established fresh contact with the suspects on Wednesday night.
A heavier exchange of fire followed on Thursday morning when the suspects allegedly attempted to break the cordon, officials said.
Reinforcements were sent to the area, and both men were killed, according to officials.
The Army said search and surveillance operations would continue to identify any remaining threat.
Police said an investigation was underway to determine the role of the detained suspect and establish the wider network involved.
In a separate operation in February, two Pakistani militants were killed in the Ramnagar forests of Udhampur district, according to officials.
