Security Forces Uncover Terrorist Hideout in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, August 31: Security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir successfully dismantled a terrorist hideout on Monday, recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition during the operation.

Officials reported that this joint operation involved the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It was launched in the Naikpora Memender area following specific intelligence.

During the search in a garden area, the team discovered the hideout and seized an AK-47, two AK-47 magazines, 60 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a pistol, a grenade, and six rounds of 9 mm ammunition.

Authorities stated that further investigations have commenced to trace the source of the recovered weapons and their potential use.

Recently, security forces have conducted several significant anti-militancy operations and cordon-and-search missions in the southern Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Anantnag, and Shopian, amid heightened security measures. In Kulgam, joint operations were executed in the wild areas of Akhal Devsar and Guddar, utilizing high-tech surveillance equipment and specialized forces.

Numerous terrorists were also neutralized during encounters that took place earlier this summer. Following intelligence reports regarding terrorist activities in Anantnag, operations were carried out in the Achabal and Kokernag (Ahlan Gagaramandu forest) areas, which involved heavy gunfire.

In Shopian district, several members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including Zakir Ganai, were killed during prolonged encounters in anti-terror operations.

Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Commander of the Northern Army, recently visited southern Kashmir. He reviewed security arrangements, operational readiness, and the use of advanced technology for better intelligence gathering and surveillance. Coordination between the army, police, and CRPF has been significantly strengthened through the establishment of joint control centers in southern Kashmir.

Additionally, extensive cordon-and-search operations are underway in hilly districts of the Jammu Division, including Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Udhampur, and Reasi. These operations were initiated following reports of terrorist movements in the elevated areas of these districts.