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Security forces have eliminated six terrorists in two separate operations over the past 48 hours in Kashmir, senior officials from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF said during a joint press briefing held on Friday.
The briefing was led by IGP (Kashmir) VK Birdi Kumar, General Officer Commanding (GoC) Victor Force Major General Dhananjay Joshi, and IG CRPF Mitesh Jain.
They confirmed that the operations conducted in Kelar, Shopian, and Tral, reflecting a heightened counter-terror response in the Valley.
“In the wake of heightened terror activities in Kashmir Valley, all the security forces deployed here reviewed their strategies. Following this review, there was an intensified focus on operations,” IGP (Kashmir) VK Birdi Kumar stated.
He further added, “On the basis of this intensified focus and coordination, we conducted two successful operations in the last 48 hours during which we had significant achievements.”
“These two operations were conducted in Kelar in Shopian and Tral areas, which resulted in the neutralisation of a total of six terrorists. We commit to finishing the terror ecosystem in Kashmir Valley,” IGP (Kashmir) VK Birdi Kumar further noted.
Challenges Faced By Security Forces
Major General Dhananjay Joshi, GoC Victor Force, detailed the anti-terror operations conducted in the Kelar and Tral areas, highlighting the challenges encountered by the joint forces during these missions.
“On May 12, we got information on the possible presence of a terrorist group in the higher reaches in Kelar. On the morning of May 13, on detection of some movement, our parties challenged the terrorists, who retaliated with fire,” he noted.
Major General Dhananjay Joshi further remarked, “Our parties neutralised them. The second operation in the Tral area conducted in a village. As we were laying a cordon at this village, the terrorists positioned themselves in different houses and fired at us. At this time, the challenge we faced was rescuing the civilian villagers.”
“After this, three terrorists were neutralised. One of the six terrorists neutralised, namely Shahid Kuttay involved in two major attacks, including an attack on a German tourist. He also had a hand in funding activities,” he further added.
Background: Pahalgam Terror Attack & Operation Sindoor
The joint operations come in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including a local resident.
The incident prompted a swift escalation in counter-terror efforts.
In a retaliatory move, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
Security forces eliminated nearly 100 terrorists in precision strikes on sites such as Bhawalpur—Jaish-e-Mohammed’s base—and Muridke, a known Lashkar-e-Taiba training centre.
Despite a ceasefire announcement, India has reiterated that trade and the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan remain suspended.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that ‘Water and blood cannot flow together’ and asserted that talks with Pakistan will focus only on terrorism and PoK.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing soldiers, said the ceasefire would hold only if Pakistan ensures no terror activity originates from its soil.
Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Visit Rajasthan On 22 May; First Trip Since ‘Operation Sindoor’
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