In a major crackdown on terror in Jammu and Kashmir, six terrorists were killed in two separate crackdown in Shopian’s Kelar and Tral areas, as per a report by ANI. The operations were conducted jointly by the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir police. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone VK Birdi confirmed this on Friday during a joint press briefing in Awantipora.
”In the wake of increasing terror activity in the valley, all security agencies reviewed their strategy. As a result of this intensified coordination and operational focus, we launched two highly successful operations over the past 48 hours,” IGP Birdi stated as quoted by ANI.
He asserted the commitment of the forces to ”finish the terror system in Kashmir Valley.”
Major General Dhananjay Joshi, GOC Victor Force shared the operational details and emphasised the challenges of evacuating civilians during the Tral encounter.
”In Kelar, we had intelligence about terrorist presence in higher reaches. On May 13, upon spotting movement, our troops challenged the suspects. The terrorist opened fire and our team neutralised them, ”Joshi stated. He further explained that terrorists had taken positions inside residential homes in Tral. ”As they opened fire, we prioritised rescuing the villagers before negating the militants. Three terrorists were eliminated in this operation.”
Among the six terrorists who were killed, Shahid Kuttay was identified as a main figure involved in two major attacks, including one on a German tourist. He also played a crucial role in funding terror activities.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed, Indian forces escalated action under Operation Sindoor in which precision strikes were conducted on the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. Around 100 terrorists were eliminated at major locations like Muridke and Bahawalpur.
(With inputs from ANI)