Two groups active, hunt on for terrorists
*Dr Jitendra, Sinha pay tribute to braveheart
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 24: In yet another terror incident in Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, an Army Commando attained martyrdom as an encounter broke out with terrorists this morning after which more troops have been rushed to the spot to hunt down four terrorists suspected to be hiding in the area.
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A gun fight took place between troops and terrorists after latter’s movement was observed in Dudu-Basantgarh area this morning in which a commando of elite Special Forces of Army sustained injuries and subsequently attained martyrdom in the hospital.
The martyr soldier has been identified as Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of 6 Para of the Special Forces, who hails from Patharghata in Nadia district of West Bengal. However, he was presently putting up at Agra in Uttar Pradesh along with his wife, son and daughter.
As per reports, his father is chronically ill while mother is bed-ridden. One of his brothers is also posted in Army somewhere in Kashmir while Sheikh too had served in the Valley previously before being posted here.
Body of the fallen soldier is being sent to his hometown with full military honours.
There have been more than half a dozen encounters between security forces and terrorists in Basantgarh and Ramnagar areas of Udhampur district during past few days as there were reports that at least two groups of four terrorists might be operating there.
On April 9, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Jopher-Marta belt of Ramnagar, Udhampur district. However, the terrorists managed to escape.
On September 11 last year, two terrorists affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit were killed in an encounter in the upper reaches of Basantgarh.
On April 29 last year, a Village Defence Guard was martyred in an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen in Panara village of Basantgarh.
A CRPF Inspector was martyred in another encounter with terrorists at Dudu on August 19, 2024.
Search and cordon operations against the terrorists are being conducted regularly in upper reaches of Basantgarh and Udhampur with Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and Special Operations Group (SOG) camping at different places.
“Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched today in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur,” the White Knight Corps said on X.
Contact was established, and a fierce firefight ensued, it said.
“One of our bravehearts sustained grievous injuries in the initial exchange and later succumbed despite best medical efforts,” the Army said.
“GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks salute braveheart Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh of 6 PARA SF, who made the supreme sacrifice during a counter-terror operation,” the Army said on X.
The Army said his indomitable courage and the valour of his team will never be forgotten. “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this moment of grief,” the Army added.
The operation was still underway when the last reports came in from the spot, they added.
Four suspects were also picked up from the area for questioning.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh paid tribute to Army Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh, who laid down his life during an anti-terror operation in the Udhampur district.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who represents Udhampur district in Lok Sabha, wrote on X: “My deepest condolences and salute to Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh (6 PARA SF), who has made the supreme sacrifice during this operation.”
He said that he is keeping a close track of the encounter going on in the Dudu-Basantgarh area of the Udhampur district. He added that Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Saloni Rai is constantly in touch with him.
“The DIG and SSP are personally on the spot. Further security measures, as required, are being planned,” he said.
Expressing his condolences and tribute to the soldier, Sinha said, “I bow to our Army braveheart Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh, who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The Lieutenant Governor said that the entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief.
Meanwhile, security forces today launched a cordon and search operation to track suspected terrorists in forest areas of Lasana in Poonch district.
The search operation was launched following inputs about suspected terrorists hiding in the area.
There was an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists on April 14 in the Lasana area, during which one security personnel was injured.
Troops of Romeo Force (army), police, and CRPF are engaged in the operation to track down terrorists.
Security personnel have also increased vigilance on the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch road and connecting Mughal road and are conducting vehicle checks.
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