The search operation to track down three Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in a forested area of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur entered its third day on Saturday amid heightened aerial surveillance, officials said.

The cordon and search operation is being carried out by a joint team of security forces.

A Pakistan-based JeM terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday, while three of his associates remain trapped in the forested area of the Basantgarh belt.

Amid strengthening of the multi-tier cordon, the search operation, widened by the joint operation group, resumed this morning with the backing of drones and sniffer dogs, they said.

The cordon has been further strengthened with additional reinforcements to eliminate the remaining terrorists of the group, the officials added.