In a major crackdown against the local terrorists active in Kashmir valley, a joint team of security forces eliminated at least six of them in two separate encounters in the South Kashmir district of Kulgam in the last 24 hours. Two soldiers of the Indian Army, including one para commando, were martyred in the anti-terrorist operations.

Both encounters broke out on Saturday when security forces launched CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) in the Modergam and Chinnigam villages following information about the presence of terrorists hiding in these two villages. The martyred soldiers have been identified as Lance Naik  Pardeep Kumar, a para commando, and Sep Pravin Janjal Prabhakar. Senior administrative, police, and Army officers attended a sombre wreath-laying ceremony at BB Cantonment before the mortal remains of fallen soldiers were dispatched to their native places on Sunday.

In Srinagar, Director General of Police, RR Swain, on Sunday told reporters that encounters have happened on two different encounter sites in the Kulgam district.

Six terrorists have been neutralised in the ongoing operations. DGP maintained this is a big milestone for the security forces and these successes matter in strengthening the security environment... “People are coming together to end terrorism and the operations are gaining momentum. The current operation is still underway and has not reached its conclusion... We have received news of the involvement of local terrorists as well...,” he said.

The identities of the slain terrorists could not be ascertained immediately as the operation was still going on at one of the locations.

So far the security forces have been claiming that the number of local terrorists active in the valley has come down and Pakistan was relying on foreign terrorists to keep the terror pot boiling.

However, unconfirmed reports indicated the local terrorists killed in the operation joined the ranks of a pro-Pakistan terrorist outfit after the Abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

According to ground reports, the security forces blasted one of the hideouts to flush out the hiding terrorists in the Chinnigam village of Frisal while an encounter at another location of Modergam was still going on.

After the Jammu region witnessed a sudden upsurge in the string of terror attacks in June 2024 the security grid in the Kashmir valley prevented large-scale terrorist violence by eliminating six terrorists in two back-to-back anti-terrorist operations.

Of all the districts in the valley, the South Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama have witnessed the maximum number of incidents of terrorist violence this year.

Since January 1, 2024, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed around two dozen incidents of terrorist violence in which  27 terrorists have been neutralized, 17 civilians lost their lives and 4 security personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The North Kashmir districts of Kupwara and Baramulla witnessed infiltration bids in which small groups of terrorists were neutralized along the line of control by the alert troops. The non-locals were targeted by the terrorists in the Srinagar, Shopian, and Bijbehara areas of Anantnag district in the valley.

On May 7, 2024, one of the most wanted terrorist commanders Basit Dar along with another terrorist was killed in a night-long anti-terror operation in the Kulgam district of south Kashmir. He was wanted in at least 18 cases of terrorist violence. He has been active in the area since April 2021, He was categorized as one of the most wanted terrorists by J&K Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on whom an award of Rs 10 lakh was announced.

Ahead of the long tourist season in the valley, the security forces need to maintain a tight vigil as many tourists/pilgrims are visiting Kashmir valley to perform pilgrimage and enjoy the cool climes in picturesque locations. More than 1.70 lakh pilgrims have performed Amarnath pilgrimage this year.

The maiden Assembly polls are also scheduled to take place any time after the culmination of the Amarnath yatra on August 19. The Election Commission is expected to take stock of the prevailing security situation before announcing the poll schedule.