In a significant breakthrough in counter-terror operations, security forces on Friday (January 23, 2026) eliminated a top Pakistani terrorist linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit in an encounter in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Also Read | Security forces intensify search operation in J&K’s KathuaInspector General of Police, Jammu range, Bhim Sen Tuti, said the terrorist was gunned down during a joint operation in Billawar town. Officials identified the deceased terrorist as JeM commander Usman alias ‘Abu Maviya’. “Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Joint Operation was launched by Army and Police on 23 Jan in general area Parhetar. The encounter lasted for a few minutes only, the officials said, terming the killing of the dreaded terrorist a major breakthrough for the security forces.

Source: The Hindu January 23, 2026 17:00 UTC