One terrorist killed in Budgam gunfight

In a successful anti-terrorist operation, a joint team of security forces neutralised one terrorist in the central Kashmir district of Budgam on Friday. A group of terrorists were trapped in the upper reaches of the Ashdar Gali area of Budgam during an ongoing cordon and search operation since Thursday evening.

The searches were launched after receiving inputs about the suspicious movement of armed terrorists in the area. The inputs were shared by one of the temporary operating bases (TOBs) set up in the upper reaches of the Kashmir valley to track down the movement of terrorists.

On Thursday night, the security forces maintained the tight cordon and rushed additional troops to plug the exit routes. The operation resumed with the first light early Friday morning.

Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, in a post on X, said the search was jointly conducted by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). According to the Chinar Corps, troops involved in the operation observed suspicious activity in the area. When the suspected terrorists were challenged, they opened fire on the security forces.

The firing triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire between the terrorists and the security forces. During the exchange, one terrorist was neutralised, the Army said. An AK rifle and other war-like stores were recovered following the encounter.

The Army said the search operation in Ashdar Gali was still in progress.

The identity of the slain terrorist and details of the other recovered items are yet to be ascertained.