n a significant success for Indian security forces, a terrorist was killed on Saturday in an anti terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, marking the third major encounter in the region this week. With this operation, the total number of terrorists neutralised in recent days has risen to six, including those responsible for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack earlier this month.

The operation reflects the ongoing efforts by Indian security forces to crack down on militant activities in the Kashmir Valley, which has witnessed an uptick in encounters and targeted operations over the past few weeks.

Kulgam encounter: details of the operation

According to police officials and defence sources, the latest encounter broke out late Friday night in the Redwani area of Kulgam district, following specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists in the locality. Acting swiftly, joint teams of the Indian Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF launched a coordinated cordon and search operation.

As the forces approached the suspected hideout, they came under heavy fire from holed-up terrorists, prompting a retaliatory action. The exchange of fire continued into the early hours of Saturday, and by morning, one terrorist had been killed. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site.

Senior police officials confirmed the elimination and noted that the identity of the slain terrorist is being ascertained, though preliminary reports suggest he was part of a recently infiltrated group trying to establish a presence in south Kashmir.

Third encounter this week in J and K

This Kulgam operation is the third counterterror operation in Jammu and Kashmir in just one week, underlining the intensified counterinsurgency drive currently underway. The week began with a high-profile operation in Pahalgam, where terrorists ambushed security forces, leading to a tragic loss of lives. In retaliation, a massive manhunt was launched, leading to encounters in Anantnag and Pulwama districts, in which five terrorists were neutralised.

The Kulgam encounter brings the weekly total to six terrorists eliminated, including all three terrorists suspected to be involved in the Pahalgam ambush. The encounter success is being seen as a significant blow to terror groups attempting to regroup in the Valley.

Pahalgam terror attack and swift response

On Monday, a brazen terror attack in Pahalgam shocked the nation, as heavily armed terrorists opened fire on a military convoy, killing two jawans and injuring several others. The incident, taking place in a high-tourist zone, sent shockwaves across the region and was seen as an attempt by terror outfits to create fear and disrupt peace during the Amarnath Yatra season.

In response, security agencies swung into action, deploying elite forces, sniffer dogs, drones, and night vision surveillance to track down the attackers. Within 72 hours, two of the attackers were located and killed in Pulwama. The third was traced to the Kulgam hideout and was the one eliminated in today’s operation.

The Director General of Police, Rashmi Ranjan Swain, addressed the media on Saturday morning, stating:

We have neutralised all three individuals involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. These operations show that our response will be swift and decisive.

Pattern of resurgence and security recalibration

The recent surge in terror incidents in Kashmir, especially in south Kashmir districts like Pulwama, Kulgam, and Anantnag, is being closely analysed by intelligence agencies. According to officials, there has been an observed effort by Pakistan-based handlers to push newly trained recruits across the Line of Control (LoC) in small, modular groups to avoid detection.

These infiltrated groups are equipped with sophisticated arms, encrypted communication devices, and pre-planned escape routes, making operations more challenging for ground forces. However, Indian forces have adapted quickly, deploying multi-agency surveillance networks, including electronic intercepts and human intelligence, to locate and eliminate threats.

The Kulgam encounter site, for example, was narrowed down using intercepted mobile communication, followed by real-time drone surveillance that helped pinpoint movement in an abandoned structure.

Army and police coordination lauded

The success of the recent anti terror operations has been largely credited to the high level of coordination between different arms of security. Joint operations by the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, J and K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), and the CRPF have become more frequent and well-integrated.

In the latest encounter in Kulgam, cordon and containment perimeters were set up within minutes, ensuring no escape route for the hiding terrorists. Sniper units were deployed, and the structure was cleared room by room, with minimum collateral damage.

Top army officers in Srinagar briefed media outlets, stating that India’s security forces remain committed to neutralising any threat in the region, and will not allow terrorist groups to destabilise the improving situation in Kashmir.

Reaction from political leadership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an event in Varanasi on Saturday, remarked:

My promise to avenge the Pahalgam attack has been fulfilled with the blessings of Lord Shiva. The sacrifices of our jawans will never go in vain.

The Union Home Minister also praised the forces for their quick action and professional conduct, while reiterating the government's zero tolerance policy on terrorism.

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, held a high-level security review in the wake of these developments and assured that peace will be maintained and tourism will not be disrupted.

Civilian safety and human rights concerns

While the encounters have been praised for their precise execution and minimal collateral, human rights groups have reiterated the need for strict adherence to protocols and transparency in identifying neutralised individuals.

So far, there has been no civilian casualty reported in the recent operations. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have reiterated that all efforts are made to evacuate civilians safely before engaging in operations in populated areas.

Local residents in Kulgam said that security forces made announcements through loudspeakers, instructing people to stay indoors and avoid movement. Medical facilities were kept on alert, though no injuries to civilians were reported.

Looking ahead: challenges and readiness

Security officials believe the recent encounters are part of a larger pattern of pre-winter infiltration attempts, with Pakistan-based terror groups trying to revive local recruitment and infiltration routes before the snow blocks mountain passes.

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