In a significant operation, security forces killed two terrorists during an encounter in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. The firefight erupted near Halkan Gali in the Shangus-Larnoo area, with ongoing efforts to neutralize any remaining threats.
Among the deceased terrorists, one was identified as a foreign national, while the other was a local. Authorities have not yet determined their affiliations with any terrorist groups. The operation is still active, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Ongoing Encounters in Kashmir
In a related incident, another encounter is currently taking place in the Khanyar area of Srinagar. Officials report an exchange of fire but have confirmed no casualties on either side at this time. The Kashmir Zone Police shared updates on social media, indicating that a cordon and search operation had initiated this encounter, with police and security forces actively engaged.
Earlier, on November 1, an encounter occurred in the Bandipora district, where terrorists reportedly opened fire on security personnel before escaping into nearby wooded areas. The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps announced on social media that they had spotted suspicious movement, prompting a response that resulted in the exchange of gunfire. Search operations in the area continue as forces pursue the fleeing militants.
Recent Wave of Terror Attacks
This surge in encounters follows a troubling series of terror attacks in the region. Just a day before the Anantnag encounter, two laborers from Uttar Pradesh were injured in a shooting in the Mazhama area of Budgam. The victims, Sufiyan and Usman, were taken to a local hospital, where their injuries were reported as stable. This incident marked the fifth terror attack in Kashmir since the formation of a new government in the Union Territory last month.
Local political leaders have condemned the rising violence. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah were vocal in their disapproval of the attacks. NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi raised concerns over the timing of the attacks, questioning the spike in violence following recent elections. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir Congress Chief Tariq Hameed Karra labeled the Budgam attack as unfortunate and called for a swift recovery for the injured. Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari described the incident as a cowardly act.
Context of Violence in Kashmir
This recent wave of violence has raised alarms, especially considering the nature of the attacks. On October 24, two soldiers and two army porters were killed in an ambush on an Army vehicle near Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination. Earlier that day, another laborer from Uttar Pradesh was shot in Tral, Pulwama.
The situation in the region remains tense, with security forces on high alert as they work to ensure the safety of civilians and counter the ongoing threat from militant groups.
