A gunfight erupted overnight between security forces and terrorists in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials reported. The encounter began during the night of September 13-14 in the Chak Tappar Kreeri area of Baramulla district. Authorities believe that two to three terrorists are currently hiding in the area, and operations are underway to neutralize the threat.
In the broader context of the region, anti-terrorist operations are also ongoing in Chatroo village of Kishtwar district, where an earlier encounter resulted in the martyrdom of two army soldiers and injuries to two others. The Kishtwar incident occurred on Friday and has intensified the security response in the area.
The electoral process in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir is approaching its final phases, with eight Assembly constituencies in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts scheduled to vote on September 18. Additional polling in the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam will take place in the first phase, while Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts will hold their elections in the second and third phases on September 25 and October 1, respectively.
The region has seen increased terrorist activity over the past two months, with a series of ambush attacks targeting the Army, security forces, and civilians. 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 counter the threat. These forces are working in the densely forested areas of the hilly districts, which have been prone to surprise attacks by terrorists.
The joint efforts of the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local village defense committees have significantly diminished the terrorists’ ability to execute surprise ambushes. The intensified security operations have led to more direct engagements with the terrorists, either resulting in their deaths or forcing them to remain on the run. This approach aims to prevent the terrorists from carrying out further attacks by disrupting their strategies and operational capabilities.
