Operation Bihali: Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in Udhampur ahead of Amarnath Yatra

An encounter has broken out between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on 26 June, a statement from the Indian Army said.

According to a PTI report, the encounter took place during a joint operation by the Army and police in the Bihali area of Basantgarh.

Notably, this comes just ahead of the scheduled Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir. The annual pilgrimage, which attracts thousands, has two routes — the Pahalgam axis and Baltal axis, and is scheduled from 3 July to 8 August 2025.

‘Operation Bihali’ in progress: Latest updates

• Officials have confirmed that contact was established with the terrorists, and the gunfight began shortly afterwards.
• Speaking to reporters, Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu Zone, said, “The encounter started early in the morning, and the operation is going on.”
• Giving more details on the encounter, the Indian Army's White Knight Corps posted on the social media platform X, stating: “Op BIHALI. Based on specific intelligence, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police in the Bihali area of Basantgarh. Contact has been established with terrorists. The operation is currently in progress.”
• “The joint operation, launched under the name ‘Operation Bihali’, is currently in progress,” an Army official told ANI.

Mock drill at the Baltan base camp

Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, security forces also conducted a joint mock drill at the Baltal base camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district on 25 June.

The exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ganderbal and saw coordinated participation from multiple agencies.

These agencies included the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the 49 Battalion CRPF, the Indian Army, the Health Department, and the Fire and Emergency Services.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)