Major Anti-Terror Ops: 8 Terrorists Neutralised In Operation Mahadev, ShivShakti, Akhal This Week

The last few days were rather eventful as the security forces neutralised at least 8 terrorists in three different anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The development marks a big breakthrough as the forces also avenged the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, killing 3 attackers in an encounter near Srinagar.

It started on Monday with the killing of 3 terrorists involved in the attack on innocent civilians in Pahalgam on April 22. During an operation codenamed ‘Mahadev’, the CRPF and Jammu Kashmir Police personnel under the leadership of 4 Para of the Army, surrounded the terrorists and killed all 3 who killed the innocent citizens in Pahalgam.

Just 2 days after that on Wednesday (July 30), security forces killed another 2 terrorists acting on intelligence inputs. In the operation codenamed ‘ShivShakti’, these 2 terrorists were trying to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir via the Line of Control at the Poonch sector, and the forces foiled the bid and killed both the infiltrators.

Security was on high alert in view of the annual Amarnath Yatra in the region. To ensure proper security and safety of the pilgrims, over 90,000 security personnel have been guarding the Yatra and making sure that it passes off peacefully.

Continuing their regular security related operations, the security forces killed another 3 terrorists in the Akhal Devsar area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Codenamed ‘Operation Akhal’, it has been going on since Friday (August 1) and is the joint operation launched by the Army, J&K Police and CRPF.

As per the latest updates, the security agencies have deployed high-tech surveillance equipment and elite Para forces to support the operation. 3 unidentified terrorists have been killed so far in the operation, while one soldier has sustained injuries.

Amarnath Yatra suspended: Security reason or something else?

Meanwhile, this year’s Amarnath Yatra has been suspended just a week before it was scheduled to end. This comes amid security forces neutralizing 8 terrorists in just around a week, however, authorities have said nothing on this. Announcing the cancellation of the yatra, they stated that the Amarnath Yatra has been suspended due to the need for maintenance on the tracks that were damaged by recent heavy rainfall.

The yatra, which began on July 3, was scheduled to conclude on August 9 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. However, authorities decided to shorten it by a week, citing “critical repair and maintenance works” to be undertaken in the wake of the heavy rainfall.

“It has been observed that due to the continued deployment of men and machinery on the tracks from tomorrow, we would not be able to resume the yatra. The yatra will therefore remain suspended from 3rd August onwards from both the routes,” said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri.