Udhampur, September 17, 2026: Two suspected militants were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Preliminary inputs suggest the two may have been linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), although their identities and affiliations are still being established.
Encounter Began After Suspicious Movement
The operation was launched in the Sohan area of Majalta after security forces received intelligence inputs about the suspicious movement of individuals in the region.
A joint team comprising the Indian Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police subsequently launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area. The search operation turned into a gunfight after the suspected militants opened fire on security personnel.
Two Suspected Militants Killed
The exchange of fire continued through the night. In the early hours of Thursday, security forces recovered the bodies of two suspected militants from the encounter site.
Officials have not yet formally established their identities. Preliminary information indicates that they could be foreign nationals and may have links to JeM.
Arms and Ammunition Recovered
Security forces also recovered arms and ammunition from the encounter site.
Authorities have expanded the search operation in the surrounding forested terrain to check for any additional militants or weapons and to ensure that the area is secure.
Joint Operation by Security Forces
The operation involved multiple security agencies working together, including Army personnel, the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Some reports specifically identified the Rashtriya Rifles and Para (Special Forces) among the units involved.
The operation comes amid intensified counter-terror searches in forested areas of the Jammu region following intelligence inputs about suspected militant movement.
Identities Yet to Be Confirmed
While preliminary reports have linked the two deceased suspects to JeM, officials are still working to establish their identities, nationality and exact affiliations.
Therefore, the JeM connection should currently be treated as a preliminary assessment rather than a conclusively established fact.
Key Details
Detail Information
Location Sohan area, Majalta, Udhampur
Date September 16–17, 2026
Killed 2 suspected militants
Suspected affiliation Jaish-e-Mohammad (preliminary inputs)
Security forces Army, CRPF & J&K Police
Recovery Arms and ammunition
Current status Search operation continuing
The latest encounter underscores the continuing security focus on the forested and difficult-to-access areas of the Jammu region, where security agencies have been conducting intelligence-based search operations.
