Lashkar Terrorist Killed, 2 Soldiers Injured in Bandipora Encounter

Photo : PTI

A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed, and an overground worker (OGW) was injured in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Friday. The encounter is part of intensified search operations to apprehend those responsible for the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists earlier this week.

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The ongoing firefight has left two soldiers injured. The situation remains tense, with security forces continuing their efforts to neutralize the remaining terrorists involved in the attack.

The gun battle began on Thursday night in the forested area of Bandipora district, where security forces had been actively searching for militants linked to the Pahalgam attack. On Tuesday, 26 innocent tourists were brutally shot dead in cold blood by terrorists. The forces launched the operation after receiving intelligence inputs suggesting that militants were hiding in the Kulnar Bazipora area.

During the operation, terrorists fired upon the security forces, prompting a swift retaliatory response. The clash between the forces and the militants is ongoing, as security personnel continue to make progress in locating and neutralizing the remaining terrorists.

In a related development, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar on Friday. He was briefed on the progress of the anti-terror operation in Bandipora and is expected to conduct a thorough review of the security situation in the region. His visit highlights the ongoing efforts to track down Lashkar-e-Taiba militants believed to be responsible for the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir authorities took further action by demolishing the homes of two terrorists who are believed to have played a significant role in the Pahalgam attack. The residence of LeT operative Adil Hussain Thoker, located in Bijbehara, was destroyed using improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Additionally, the home of another suspected militant, Asif Sheikh, was razed with a bulldozer in Tral.

Thoker is believed to have assisted Pakistani terrorists in the planning and execution of the tragic attack in Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam. As investigations continue, security forces have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to the whereabouts of Thoker, along with two Pakistani nationals—Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa—who are suspected to be directly involved in the attack. The Anantnag Police have released sketches of the three suspects, intensifying the search operation.

The terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam has shocked the nation, leading to heightened security measures across Jammu and Kashmir. The security forces are determined to track down and eliminate the militants responsible for this heinous crime.