Srinagar- One terrorist was killed, and an AK rifle along with other warlike stores was recovered during a joint operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the Ashdar Gali area of Budgam district, officials said on Friday.
The operation, launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs, has been underway since Thursday, with security forces conducting a massive combing operation deep inside the dense forests of the Yousmarg and Pir Panjal belt.
Officials said the forces had received inputs regarding the movement of a suspected group of terrorists from Pakherpora in Pulwama district towards Yousmarg meadow in Budgam. Following the inputs, a joint search operation was launched by the Army, J&K Police and CRPF in the general area of Ashdar Gali.
In a post on X, the Army said vigilant troops observed suspicious activity, and, upon being challenged, the terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire.
During the exchange, one terrorist was neutralised and an AK rifle along with other warlike stores was recovered, the Army said.
The search operation, however, remains underway as security forces continue combing the forested area for possible presence of other terrorists.
Officials said the operation is being conducted in difficult and densely forested terrain, with forces carrying out searches across the area to track down any remaining threat.
Inputs about the presence of foreign terrorists in the Pir Panjal forest belt had prompted the security forces to intensify the search operation, officials said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar, reached near the operation site in Budgam to take stock of the ongoing operation and review the security situation.
Security forces have maintained heightened alert in and around the operation area, while searches are being conducted to ensure that no other terrorist is hiding in the forests.
As a precautionary measure, Yousmarg has been shut for tourists amid the ongoing operation. Movement in the tourist destination has been restricted while security forces continue their searches in the surrounding forest areas.
The identity of the slain terrorist has not yet been ascertained.
The encounter comes after a lull of several months in such operations in the Valley. Security forces have continued their searches in forested areas to prevent any movement or presence of terrorists in the region.
The operation was ongoing when this report was filed.
Search Ops In Samba Border
Police on Friday carried out a joint search-cum-area domination exercise in the border areas in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district to strengthen security and enhance vigilance, officials said.
The exercise began in Regal village and extended to Chillerian, Nadala, and Ploora. Security personnel carried out thorough checks and maintained a presence along identified routes and vulnerable areas.
During the exercise, a special joint team comprising police and BSF was established at a strategic location. This was supervised by the additional superintendent of police, Samba, along with the deputy superintendent of police from the Special Operations Group and an inspector from the BSF.
Officers stationed at checkpoints conducted detailed inspections of vehicles and their occupants, staying alert throughout the operation.
As part of the exercise, police personnel also interacted with locals and sensitised them about the importance of community participation in maintaining security and preventing any untoward incident.
They provided residents with contact numbers for the police, including the Police Control Room Samba and SOG Samba, encouraging them to report any suspicious individuals, movements, vehicles, or unusual activities in their areas.
Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Samba, Anuj Kumar, stated that the joint exercise aimed to bolster security preparedness, enhance coordination among agencies, increase police visibility, and foster a sense of safety within the local community.
He assured the public that every credible input received from citizens would be assessed promptly and acted upon appropriately. (PTI)
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