With the Shri Amarnathji Yatra cut short due to heavy rainfall damaging key routes, security forces have launched a massive manhunt to flush out ‘foreign’ terrorists from their hideouts across the Valley.
In a significant breakthrough, a joint team of security forces neutralised two more terrorists in an intense overnight encounter in the Akhal forest area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.
Following two successful operations, Op Mahadev and Op Shiv Shankar, which resulted in the elimination of five terrorists, another operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. A cordon and search operation commenced on Friday evening, leading to an initial exchange of fire. The operation was paused overnight for safety, with the cordon strengthened and additional reinforcements deployed. Firing resumed on Saturday morning, resulting in the elimination of two terrorists.
The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps reported on X, “Intermittent and intense firefight continued through the night. Alert troops responded with calibrated fire and tightened the noose while maintaining contact. One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces so far.” A second terrorist was neutralised later in the day, with the operation still ongoing at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir authorities have announced the suspension of the Amarnath yatra from August 3, 2025, due to critical track maintenance necessitated by recent heavy rainfall.
The Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which commenced on July 3 and was scheduled to conclude on August 9, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, has been halted a week early.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, announced the suspension, citing the need for urgent repairs on the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, which have been severely affected by heavy rainfall.”Due to recent heavy rainfall and the need for track maintenance along both the Baltal and Pahalgam axes of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra route, the yatra movement has been closed on both the tracks,” Bidhuri stated.
“It has been observed that due to the continued deployment of men and machinery on the tracks from tomorrow, we will not be able to resume the yatra. The yatra will therefore remain suspended from 3rd August onwards from both the routes.”
Despite the early closure, the 2025 Yatra saw significant participation, with over 4.10 lakh pilgrims visiting the Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji to pay their obeisance. This figure, while substantial, is lower than last year’s turnout of over 5.10 lakh devotees. Authorities have urged pilgrims to avoid travelling to the routes until further notice and to monitor official updates for information on potential resumption.