On Monday, a joint security team successfully eliminated a Pakistani terrorist during an operation in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials reported.
According to SSP Handwara, Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary, the operation was launched early in the morning following precise intelligence inputs.
During the operation, security forces made contact with the terrorist, which ultimately led to his neutralization. The individual has been identified as Safiullah, a Pakistani national who had been active for a significant period,” SSP Choudhary stated.
The joint team, comprising Handwara police, 21 Rashtriya Rifles, and CRPF personnel, recovered an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, a grenade, and other incriminating items from the encounter site. The area has been secured, and further investigations are ongoing.
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Details of the Encounter
The encounter began earlier in the day when security forces received intelligence about the presence of terrorists in Krumbhoora (Zachaldara) village in Kupwara’s Rajwar area. A Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was initiated based on this information.
As security forces approached the hiding terrorist, he opened fire, triggering a gunfight. Authorities sealed off the area and deployed additional reinforcements to ensure the operation’s success. Civilians were advised to stay indoors and avoid movement near the encounter site for safety.
Surge in Terrorism Incidents
Intelligence agencies have noted that terrorists operating under instructions from handlers based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have intensified their activities. This escalation is believed to be a reaction to peaceful and widely participative Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections held in 2024, which frustrated terror sponsors across the border.
Recently, three civilians, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed by terrorists in Kathua district. Additionally, two bodies were recovered from Qazigund in Kulgam district after three laborers from Rajouri went missing on February 14.
Government’s Response to Terrorism
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has chaired three high-level security review meetings in Jammu and Kashmir since the start of 2025. He has directed security forces to ensure zero infiltration and adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorists and their supporters.
Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha has also conducted two back-to-back security reviews in Srinagar and Jammu. He emphasized dismantling the ecosystem that sustains terrorism, including overground workers (OGWs) and sympathizers.
The administration has highlighted that funds generated through drug trafficking, smuggling, and hawala operations are being used to support terrorism in J&K. Officials stressed that cutting off these financial channels is essential for effectively combating terror networks.
