A gunfight erupted in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Friday, injuring two forces personnel and resulting in the death of a militant associate identified as Altaf Lalli. The clash took place after a cordon and search operation was launched in the Kulnar Bazipora area based on intelligence about the presence of militants.
According to officials, security forces initiated the operation when militants opened fire on them, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Lalli, who was affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was killed during the encounter. The two injured security personnel were immediately transferred to a nearby hospital, where their condition is reported to be stable.
This operation follows a series of heightened security measures across Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam attack earlier this week that killed 26 people.
In a related development, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar today to be briefed on the ongoing operation in Bandipora. He is scheduled to conduct a comprehensive security review and assess the actions being taken against terrorists and ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).
Earlier, on Thursday, the forces said they dismantled a module of overground workers (OGWs) linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Bandipora. Four individuals were arrested, and arms and ammunition were seized during the operation. According to police, the OGWs were planning attacks on security personnel and non-locals under the direction of their handlers.
The operation, carried out by Bandipora Police in collaboration with the CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles, led to the arrest of four suspects: Mohammad Rafiq Khanday, Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, Rayees Ahmad Dar, and Mohd Shafi Dar. Arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession, and an FIR has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Authorities continue to investigate the module’s connections and activities, as tensions remain high in the region following the Pahalgam attack.
