Killing of Six Terrorists in Kulgam: A Significant Blow to Terror Outfits in Kashmir

The Indian Army has announced that the killing of six terrorists in two encounters in Kulgam district of south Kashmir has dealt a significant blow to terror outfits in the region. This operation has left the terrorist organizations in Kashmir leaderless, making it difficult for them to carry out their operations.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 2 Sector, Prithvi Raj Chauhan, addressed a press conference in Khanabal, Anantnag, to share details of the operation. He stated that the security forces launched a joint cordon and search operation in the Chinigam and Frisal areas of Kulgam on June 6, 2024, based on specific input from higher headquarters and corroborated information about the presence of terrorists in the area. The operation was initiated early in the morning to apprehend the terrorists, but no suspicious movement was observed during the search, and the operation was called off in the afternoon.

However, credible input was received from a local source about suspicious movement in the same area, prompting the security forces to re-launch the operation. As they approached the target area, the hiding terrorists opened fire on them, and one Army personnel sustained a gunshot wound. The injured personnel was immediately evacuated from the site and later flown to 92 Base Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The security forces retaliated with precision, and in the ensuing firefight, four terrorists of the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) organization were killed. War-like stores were also recovered from the site. The slain terrorists have been identified as Yawar Ahmad Dar, Zahid Ahmad Dar, Tauheed Ahmad Rather, Shakeel Ahmad Wani, and another terrorist whose identity has not been disclosed.

The GOC emphasized that some of the neutralized terrorists were suspected to have been involved in various terror activities in Kulgam and adjoining districts. The security forces exercised extreme restraint to ensure minimal collateral damage during the operation. All recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, and a case has been registered under relevant sections of law.

DIG South Kashmir, Javid Iqbal, also confirmed that the operations were launched based on specific inputs about the presence of terrorists, which resulted in the killing of six terrorists. This operation is a significant achievement for the security forces and a major setback for the terrorist organizations in Kashmir.

Historical Context:

The region of Kashmir has been a flashpoint of conflict between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The Kashmir dispute has led to several wars and skirmishes between the two countries, with the Line of Control (LoC) separating the Indian-administered Kashmir from the Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The region has been plagued by terrorism and insurgency, with various militant groups, including the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), operating in the area.

In recent years, the Indian government has taken steps to strengthen its security presence in Kashmir, including the deployment of additional troops and the implementation of a strict curfew. The region has also seen a surge in terrorist attacks, including the killing of several security personnel and civilians.

The killing of six terrorists in Kulgam district is seen as a significant blow to the terrorist organizations operating in the region, as it has left them leaderless and made it difficult for them to carry out their operations.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The Indian Army announced the killing of six terrorists in two encounters in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, dealing a significant blow to terror outfits in the region. • The operation was launched based on specific input from higher headquarters and corroborated information about the presence of terrorists in the area. • The security forces launched a joint cordon and search operation in the Chinigam and Frisal areas of Kulgam on June 6, 2024, but initially found no suspicious movement and called off the operation in the afternoon. • Credible input was received from a local source about suspicious movement in the same area, prompting the security forces to re-launch the operation. • The terrorists opened fire on the security forces, and one Army personnel sustained a gunshot wound, which later proved fatal. • Four terrorists of the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) organization were killed in the ensuing firefight, and war-like stores were recovered from the site. • The slain terrorists were identified as Yawar Ahmad Dar, Zahid Ahmad Dar, Tauheed Ahmad Rather, Shakeel Ahmad Wani, and another terrorist whose identity has not been disclosed. • The security forces exercised extreme restraint to ensure minimal collateral damage during the operation. • A case has been registered under relevant sections of law, and all recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation. • The operation is seen as a significant achievement for the security forces and a major setback for the terrorist organizations in Kashmir.