1 Terrorist Killed, Arms Seized in Anti-Terror Operation in J&K’s Kupwara
Srinagar – In a determined counter-terrorism operation, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district successfully neutralized a terrorist on Thursday, marking a strategic win for security agencies operating in the region. Officials confirmed that arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle, two hand grenades, four AK magazines, and other war-like equipment, were seized from the slain militant, providing crucial insight into terrorist logistics and weaponry.
The Kupwara operation began earlier in the week, with security personnel focusing on the Lolab area, a region known for sporadic militant activity. The operation reached a climactic end on Wednesday with the elimination of a terrorist, but the intensive search continued until Thursday to ensure no further threats remained. This action is part of a broader crackdown by security forces aimed at eliminating insurgent networks and bringing stability to volatile areas.
Notably, another encounter occurred earlier this week in Bandipora district’s Ketsun forests, where one terrorist was also killed, although operations there are still ongoing. The recent spate of encounters has highlighted an upswing in terror-related incidents, with intelligence agencies attributing the rise in activity to frustration among terror handlers across the Pakistan border. They are reportedly disturbed by the recent successful Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in J&K, which saw high participation and an unprecedented level of peace and public support.
The terror activities have not been limited to Kupwara and Bandipora. On November 2, an intense gunfight in the old city of Srinagar resulted in the killing of a high-ranking LeT commander, Usman Bhai, alias Chota Waleed, a Pakistani national. This operation, which took place in Srinagar’s Khanyar area, saw injuries to two local police officers and two CRPF personnel, underscoring the risks security forces face in restoring peace in the region.
Beyond these recent encounters, civilians and non-combatants have also become targets. Last month, terrorists killed six workers and a local doctor involved in a critical infrastructure project in Ganderbal district’s Gagangir area. These workers were constructing a tunnel to facilitate all-weather access between Srinagar and Sonamarg, a project aimed at enhancing local tourism and employment opportunities. The brutal attack, which claimed the lives of non-local workers and a doctor from Budgam, illustrates the ongoing threats faced by civilians involved in regional development projects.
Additionally, targeted assaults on army personnel and non-local workers in areas like Shopian, Budgam, and Gulmarg have added to the complexity of security operations in the region. In the Gulmarg area, terrorists killed three soldiers and two porters in Botapathri, underscoring that even areas previously considered secure are facing renewed threats.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has taken a firm stance on addressing these threats. He recently issued directives to security forces to pursue terrorists and their support networks aggressively. In an assertive move, Sinha stated that homes sheltering terrorists would be demolished, signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward harboring terror elements.
The recent increase in attacks in regions previously deemed secure has posed a fresh challenge to security forces, as a single incident of terror can unravel months of peace-building efforts. Security agencies have vowed to continue their operations and sacrifice in the face of these renewed threats, ensuring that peace and stability prevail in Jammu and Kashmir.
