A gunfight is underway between security forces and terrorists in the Tral area of Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir. According to Kashmir Zone Police, following intelligence about the presence of terrorists, police and security forces launched a joint search operation after cordoning off the area.
Srinagar: A gunfight erupted between security forces and terrorists in the Tral area of Awantipora in Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday morning. This encounter took place in the Nader village of Tral, where a joint team of police and army launched a search operation after receiving intelligence inputs. Initial reports suggest that 2 to 3 terrorists are suspected to be hiding in the area. Police and security forces have cordoned off the entire area, and a heavy exchange of fire is ongoing.
Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the encounter on its official ‘X’ handle, stating that the encounter has begun in the Nader area of Tral, Awantipora. Police and security forces are engaged on the front lines. Sources indicate that the encounter began around 6:30 AM today when security forces launched a search operation after receiving information about the terrorists' presence and cordoned off the area.
Tense Situation in the Area, Citizens Urged to Stay Indoors
All routes near the encounter site in Tral have been closed, and additional security forces have been deployed. Drones and other surveillance equipment are being used to monitor the terrorists' activities. The local administration has appealed to the citizens to remain indoors and not to hinder the security forces' operation.
Tral, once considered a bhold of terrorism, is gradually returning to normalcy, but such incidents periodically create tension in the area.
Shopian Encounter: Elimination of Dangerous Lashkar Terrorists
Two days before the Tral encounter, on Tuesday, security forces gunned down three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in the Shukru forest area of Shopian district in south Kashmir. Two of the slain terrorists have been identified. One was Shahid Kutte, a resident of Heerpora, Shopian, and an A-category operative of Lashkar.
Shahid Kutte has a long list of terrorist activities. He was involved in the April 8, 2024, firing incident at the Danish Resort in Srinagar, which injured two foreign tourists and a driver. Additionally, he was involved in the murder of a local BJP Sarpanch on May 18, 2024, and the killing of a Territorial Army soldier in Behibag, Kulgam, on February 3, 2025.
The second slain terrorist has been identified as Adnan Shafi Dar, a resident of Wanduna village in Shopian. Adnan joined Lashkar on October 18, 2024, and was a ‘C-category’ terrorist. He was involved in the killing of migrant laborers in Wachi, Shopian. The third slain terrorist remains unidentified, but security agencies expect to confirm his identity soon based on DNA profiling and other clues. Security forces also recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the site.
In recent months, the anti-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified. Particular attention is being paid to organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and The Resistance Front. Coordinated action by police, army, and intelligence agencies continues in an effort to cripple the terrorists.
