A gunfight erupted overnight between security forces and terrorists in the Chak Tappar Kreeri area of Baramulla district, officials reported. The clash began during the night of September 13-14.
Authorities believe that two to three terrorists are hiding in the area and have launched an operation to neutralize them.
This incident comes as Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts prepare for the third and final phase of polling in the Union Territory (UT) elections on October 1.
Anti-Terrorist Operations
In a related development, anti-terrorist operations continue in Chatroo village, Kishtwar district, where two army soldiers were martyred and two others injured in an encounter with terrorists on Friday.
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The first phase of the UT elections will take place on September 18, covering eight Assembly constituencies across Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts in the Chenab Valley, as well as 16 seats in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam districts in South Kashmir. Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts will vote in the second and third phases of the elections on September 25 and October 1, respectively.
Foreign Terrorists Behind These Attacks
Moreover, in recent months, terrorist ambushes have targeted the Army, security forces, and civilians in the hilly districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur. Reports indicate that a group of 40 to 50 foreign terrorists may be behind these attacks. In response, the Army has deployed over 4,000 trained soldiers, including elite Para Commandos and those skilled in mountain warfare, to the densely forested areas of these districts.
The terrorists, who have relied on surprise attacks and quick escapes into the forests, face heightened challenges as the Army, CRPF, and local village defense committees intensify their efforts. This increased security presence has reduced the terrorists’ ability to launch surprise attacks.
As the security forces aggressively engage with the terrorists in both the Jammu division and the Kashmir Valley, encounters have become more frequent. Senior police officers report that these engagements either kill the terrorists or force them to flee, which limits their ability to carry out stealthy attacks.
