A terrorist was killed in a joint operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Ashdar Gali area of Budgam district, as one terrorist was neutralised when the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) intervened on Friday by going on patrol in the Ashdar Gali area of Budgam district of India.
The operation was initiated following intelligence inputs about the movement of terrorists in the area, Chinar Corps said. During the search operation, the Indian Army's Chinar Corps detected suspicious activity and challenged the suspected terrorists. The terrorists opened fire, and there was a shoot-out between one terrorist and the others.
After the exchange of fire, security forces recovered one AK-series rifle and other war-like stores from the site. Recovery of the weapon and material will form part of the security assessment and investigation into the presence of terrorists in the area.
The operation has not yet concluded. Security forces are still combing the vicinity of the city to see whether other terrorists are hiding in the forested area.
They said the operation took place in the light of intelligence about the movement of a suspected group from the Pakherpora area of neighbouring Pulwama district towards Yousmarg in Budgam. The challenging forest environment can provide cover for militants, making search operations especially challenging for security personnel.
The identity of the terrorist who was killed is not yet known officially. Further verification will be done as the operation and the investigation proceed.
The recent development underlines the continued security presence in parts of Kashmir Valley under which security agencies regularly conduct intelligence-based cordon and search operations to detect suspected terrorist movement and prevent attacks.
The coordination of the Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF is an essential component of counter-terror operations in the region. Joint operations allow security agencies to combine intelligence inputs, local policing capabilities and military resources while conducting searches in difficult terrain.
The search continues, the Chinar Corps said. Security personnel are monitoring the area around, and the area is being secured.
The incident also comes as counter-terror activities in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir are on the rise as well. Last Thursday, security forces reported the discovery of a terrorist hideout in the Mahore area of Reasi district where arms and ammunition were recovered during a separate search operation.
The situation in and around the affected area means security forces will remain vigilant until the search is done. Details like who the neutralised terrorist is and whether any additional arrests or recoveries are expected will be available once authorities have updated their assessment.
At present, the major points from Ashdar Gali are clear: one terrorist has been neutralised, an AK rifle and other war-like stores have been recovered, and the joint search operation of Army, J&K Police and CRPF continues.
Authorities are expected to share more details as the operation goes on and the security forces carry out a search for others in the area.
