A day after the Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation at a high-level meeting in New Delhi and directed the security forces to intensify counter-terror operations in the wake of the recent upsurge in terrorist attacks across Jammu region, the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Monday took stock of the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness of the armed forces.

Gen Chauhan was briefed by the senior army officers including the Northern Army Commander and General Officer Commanding (GoC) here at the White Knight Corps headquarters in Nagrota.

Since the majority of attacks by the suspected Pakistani terrorists were aimed at the army personnel, a comprehensive review of the deployment pattern was also undertaken by the CDS with the senior army officers to prevent these attacks and prepare a counter-terror strategy to flush these foreign terrorists from their safe hideouts. Emphasis was laid on strictly following the standard operating procedures (SoP).

The senior army officers also highlighted the importance of gathering human intelligence to track down the footprints of the over-ground workers.

A series of security review meetings have been held at various levels to further chart out a strategy to deal with growing terrorism in the Jammu region with a strong arm. Terrorists struck at four places in the Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir within four days last week, killing nine pilgrims and martyrdom of CRPF jawan and leaving seven security personnel and several others injured.

Two suspected Pakistani terrorists were also killed in an encounter with security forces in Kathua district.

On June 9, terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims when it was en route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra from the Shiv Khori temple.

The bus plunged into a deep gorge following the gunfire, killing nine people and injuring 41 others.

On June 11, terrorists fired at a joint checkpost of the Rashtriya Rifles and police at Chattergalla in Bhaderwah while a search party in the Gandoh area of Doda district was attacked on June 12, resulting in injuries to seven security personnel, including a policeman.

Meanwhile, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Bandipora district on Monday.

The gunfight broke out after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Aragam area of the district on Sunday night following information about the presence of terrorists there.

The army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said one terrorist has been killed. The operation was in progress till the last reports, it said.

"Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police on the intervening night of June 16-17 in the general area of Gurihajin, Aragam Bandipora; one terrorist was eliminated, operation in progress," the Chinar Corps posted on X.