India-Pakistan tensions: Six terrorists killed in two major operations in South Kashmir

Representational Image. Pic/ PTI

With the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, things in the valley do not seem to be at peace. After the April 22 Pahalgam attack, security forces turned the focus of their anti-terror operations to specific areas in south Kashmir. Recently, the anti-terrorist forces have eliminated six terrorists in the past three days, officials said on Friday.

As per PTI, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, stated that "the security agencies reviewed their strategy according to the situation in the wake of terror activities in the last month, and our intensified focus was on operations."

IGP was addressing a press conference with General Officer Commanding Victor Force, Major General Dhananjay Joshi, at the headquarters of the Victor Force in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. Pulwama and other regions of the valley are now being currently handled with special care by the forces to ensure peace and counter-terrorism.

IGP V.K Birdi said that because of the intensified focus and coordination between various security agencies, two successful operations have been conducted in which a total of six terrorists have been eliminated. He termed their elimination as "significant achievements". as per PTI.

"These successful operations were possible because of the coordination and synergy among the security and intelligence agencies. We are duty-bound to end any terror activity in Kashmir, and we are always ready to stop such acts," the IGP further stated.

Briefing more about the situation, the encounters took place in the Keller area of Shopian and the Nadar area of Tral in Pulwama on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. Three terrorists each were killed in the two operations in the valley.

Victor Force GOC Major Joshi expressed that the security forces have designated several areas as their main focus. Immediately after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, the security forces designated several areas as focus areas, and since then they have been working quite actively.

"We had intelligence inputs that terrorists had moved to the higher reaches after the melting of snow. Keeping that in mind, our domination parties had continuously been deployed in the higher reaches, mountainous areas and forests," he further stated.

The security agencies received intelligence input about the presence of terrorists in the Keller area of Shopian on the night of May 12, Major Joshi said.

"So the domination party that was deployed there for some time relocated itself and, in a focused way, closed in on the area. They challenged the terrorists who fired at them, leading to an encounter in which three terrorists were neutralised," he said.

Addressing the Tral encounter, the GoC said that the operation took place in a different terrain.

"We had input and cordoned off the village. The terrorists took positions in different houses and fired. Our challenge was the safe evacuation of innocent civilians, including children. Then systematic searches were conducted one by one in the houses, and the three terrorists were neutralised in separate places," he added.

According to Major Joshi, the fact that both operations were carried out successfully demonstrates that the security forces will locate the terrorists and other members of the organisation, wherever they may be and eliminate them. Shahid Kuttay, a key participant in major attacks in the valley, was among the six terrorists killed. He was one of the most important perpetrators. The attacks included one that took place on a sarpanch in Heerpora, Shopian, on May 18 last year. He also played a key role in executing the gunfire incident that took place at the Danish Resort on April 8 of the same year, which resulted in the injuries of two German tourists and a driver. "Kuttay was also involved in fundraising and other activities," he added.

Neutralisation of both the modules has dealt a blow to terror outfits and will help in stopping terror activities here and bring peace, Maj Joshi said.

(With PTI inputs)