One terrorist was killed and an AK rifle recovered during a joint operation by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in a forest area of Budgam district on Friday, officials said. The operation, which unfolded in the Ashdar Gali forest area, was launched after security forces received specific intelligence regarding the movement of a suspected group of terrorists from Pakherpora in neighboring Pulwama district toward Yousmarg in Budgam.
According to the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, troops involved in the search operation observed suspicious movement in the area and challenged the suspected terrorists, who responded by opening fire. Security forces retaliated, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralized. "Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised and one AK rifle was recovered," the Chinar Corps said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
The identity of the slain terrorist has not yet been ascertained, according to officials, and efforts to establish his identity are expected to continue as part of the broader investigation into the encounter. The search operation remains underway in the area, with security forces continuing efforts to locate another terrorist believed to be hiding in the vicinity, suggesting that the group being tracked may have consisted of at least two individuals at the time the operation began.
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The encounter marks a notable development in the security situation in the Kashmir Valley, coming after a lull of several months in militant activity in the region. The relative quiet in recent months had raised hopes among security officials of a sustained reduction in insurgent activity, making Friday's operation a reminder of the persistent, if intermittent, security challenges that continue to affect the region.
The joint operation involving multiple security agencies, including the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF, reflects the coordinated multi-agency approach that has become standard practice in counter-insurgency operations across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in forested and hilly terrain such as the area surrounding Yousmarg, a popular tourist destination in Budgam district known for its scenic meadows and forests. Such terrain has historically posed challenges for security forces due to the natural cover it provides for militant movement.
As the search operation continues, security forces are likely to maintain a heightened presence in the Ashdar Gali area and surrounding forest tracts in an effort to locate the remaining suspected terrorist and prevent any further movement of militants through the region. The recovery of the AK rifle from the slain terrorist is expected to provide investigators with additional forensic and intelligence leads as they work to establish the identity of those involved and determine whether the group had any broader affiliations or planned targets within the region.
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