According to the Kashmir Zone Police, the operation commenced in the early hours when joint teams of the Army, Central Reserve Police Force , and local police initiated a cordon and search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area. As the forces approached the suspected hideout, they came under heavy fire, prompting a retaliatory response. The exchange of gunfire continued for several hours, with intermittent pauses to evacuate civilians from nearby residences.
The identity and affiliation of the militants involved in the encounter are yet to be officially confirmed. However, preliminary reports suggest that the individuals may be linked to the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad , which has been active in the region. Security forces have intensified operations in Tral and its adjoining areas following a series of intelligence inputs indicating increased militant activity.
This operation comes on the heels of another encounter in the same district, where security forces neutralized two militants affiliated with JeM. The slain militants were identified as Yawar Ahmad Najar, a local resident of Darganie Gund Tral, and a Pakistani national known by the code name Umar. Both were involved in multiple attacks on security establishments and civilians in the area.
In a separate development, four individuals suspected of being overground workers for JeM were arrested in the Tral area. The arrested individuals—Mudasir Ahmad Naik, Umar Nazir Sheikh, Inayat Firdoos Rather, and Salman Nazir Lone—were allegedly involved in providing logistical support and transporting arms and ammunition to active militants operating in Tral and Awantipora. Incriminating materials were recovered from their possession, and a case has been registered at the Tral police station.
The region has witnessed a surge in counter-insurgency operations over the past year, with security forces targeting both active militants and their support networks. These operations have led to the arrest of numerous individuals involved in aiding militant activities, as well as the seizure of arms, ammunition, and other contraband.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in identifying and reporting suspicious activities. The ongoing operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle militant networks and prevent the resurgence of insurgent activities in south Kashmir.