Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir – September 20, 2025: In a fierce encounter overnight, an Indian Army soldier has laid down his life in the line of duty during a gunbattle with militants in the rugged Seoj Dhar forest area of Udhampur district, along the Doda-Udhampur border. The operation, which began late Friday evening based on specific intelligence inputs, has trapped 3-4 suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, with joint teams of the Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), and local police closing in amid heavy exchanges of fire.
The drama unfolded around 8 PM on September 19 when alert troops from the White Knight Corps, acting on actionable intelligence, launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Dudu police station limits, near the high-altitude Seoj Dhar region. This remote, forested border area—straddling Udhampur and Doda districts—has long been a hideout for infiltrating militants from Pakistan.As security forces tightened the noose, the terrorists opened fire, triggering a prolonged firefight that spilled into the early hours of Saturday. Initial reports confirmed one soldier was critically injured in the initial volleys and was swiftly evacuated to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for treatment. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries despite the best medical efforts, marking a somber moment in an otherwise resolute push to neutralize the threat. By dawn, reinforcements—including drones for aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs for ground tracking—were rushed from Udhampur and Doda bases, transforming the site into a high-stakes manhunt. Jammu Inspector General of Police (IGP) Yougal Manhas confirmed that “On actionable intelligence, contact established with terrorists at Seoj Dhar. Encounter in progress. Joint teams of SOG-JKP and Indian Army on ground.
Sources indicate the trapped militants are affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terror outfit notorious for orchestrating attacks in Jammu & Kashmir. Believed to be 3-4 in number, these infiltrators were reportedly attempting to regroup in the dense forests after crossing the Line of Control (LoC).
The White Knight Corps issued an operational update on X, stating: “Contact with Terrorists. Update | Contact Site of the ongoing operation is Doda-Udhampur border. Operation continues.” No further casualties among security personnel have been reported, and the forces remain committed to eliminating the threat without risking civilian lives.
In response to the encounter, security has been beefed up across Udhampur district, with extra vigilance along the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). Checkpoints have been reinforced, and traffic movement is under close monitoring to prevent any spillover. Visuals from the area show increased deployment of personnel and vehicles, though live operational details remain classified to maintain tactical advantage.Local residents in nearby Basantgarh and Bhaderwah have been urged to stay indoors and report suspicious activity, while schools and markets in the vicinity operate under advisory. This incident comes amid a spate of recent encounters in the Pir Panjal range, signaling a renewed militant push that security experts attribute to external handlers amid geopolitical tensions.
The martyrdom of the unidentified soldier—described by comrades as a “braveheart who charged fearlessly”—has evoked tributes from across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a brief statement, hailed the forces’ valor: “Our soldiers’ sacrifices fuel our unyielding fight against terrorism. Justice will be swift.” More details are awaited, but one thing is clear: India’s security apparatus stands u.
