In a major success against terrorism, security forces killed top Pakistani JeM terrorist Usman, also known as 'Abu Maviya', in an encounter on January 23, 2026, in Billawar town, Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu police chief Bhim Sen Tuti confirmed that a small joint team of J&K Police, Army, and CRPF carried out the operation. The team recovered a large amount of arms and ammunition, including an M4 automatic rifle, from a remote village in the Parhetar area. The Army's Rising Star Corps said, "Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Joint Operation was launched by Army and Police on 23 Jan in general area Parhetar. Area was cordoned and contact established. In a precise strike by the joint forces, 1 (one) foreign terrorist has been eliminated." The search operations are ongoing. Usman had been active in the Udhampur-Kathua region for years after crossing the border from Pakistan. He had survived several earlier encounters, including on January 7 and 13. During Friday's operation, security teams raided a house but came under fire. The terrorists were quickly neutralized in close combat after a brief encounter. Meanwhile, security forces continue hunting for three JeM terrorists in Kishtwar district's Chatroo belt despite heavy snowfall. Operation Trashi-I began on January 18, involving intense fighting with casualties on the security side. A major hideout was busted on January 19 but terrorists slipped away during further encounters. Security operations have intensified in the Jammu region since December 2025 aiming to flush out numerous terrorists ahead of Republic Day. Officials warn of attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to infiltrate more terrorists into the region.