In a significant escalation of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a joint operation in the Baramulla district following reports of suspicious terrorist activity. The operation commenced on November 7, 2024, in the Panipura area of Sopore, as troops acted on specific intelligence indicating the presence of militants in the region.
According to the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, the operation was initiated after vigilant troops observed suspicious movements. Upon being challenged by the security forces, the terrorists reportedly opened fire indiscriminately. In response, the Indian Army troops effectively retaliated, leading to an ongoing encounter in the area.
This operation in Baramulla is part of a broader trend, as there has been a noticeable increase in terrorist activity throughout Jammu and Kashmir. In a related incident earlier on Thursday, one terrorist was killed during an encounter in Kupwara district, which began the previous day. Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the Margi area of Lolab after receiving intelligence about the presence of terrorists. During this encounter, the forces successfully neutralized the threat, recovering an AK rifle, two hand grenades, and several magazines from the site.
In Bandipora, another terrorist was eliminated in a separate operation on Wednesday. The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had conducted a joint operation in the Chuntawadi Kaitsan area, which led to an encounter with terrorists. This reflects the intensifying efforts of security forces to combat rising insurgent activities in the region.
Moreover, the Jammu and Kashmir Police reported the apprehension of a terrorist associate named Ashiq Hussain Wani in Sopore on Tuesday. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent attacks on civilians.
The recent surge in violence has resulted in civilian casualties as well. On November 3, a grenade attack at a Tourist Reception Centre and a weekly market in Srinagar injured 12 individuals, including one woman. Earlier this month, two terrorists were killed during a clash in Anantnag district following an anti-terror operation. Further, on October 29, security forces neutralized three terrorists in a high-stakes encounter in Akhnoor, responding to an attack on an Army convoy. The situation was exacerbated on October 20 when a terrorist assault on a tunnel construction site in Ganderbal district resulted in the deaths of a doctor and six construction workers.
The Indian Army and local security agencies continue to enhance their operations in a bid to stabilize the region amid escalating tensions.