Two Militants Killed in Kupwara Clash Amid Tensions Ahead of Vote Counting in Kashmir

Baby Chakraborty, Kalimnews - October 5, 2024. New Delhi :  In a significant anti-terror operation, two militants were killed in a joint raid conducted by the Indian Army and Kashmir Police in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, late Friday night. The operation, carried out in the Gugladhar area, marked a major success in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region, especially ahead of the crucial vote counting for the recently concluded assembly elections.

Acting on intelligence reports, security forces launched a search operation in the area, suspecting militant activity. During the search, the militants opened fire on the joint forces, prompting a fierce gun battle. In the ensuing exchange, two militants were neutralized. A large cache of weapons and ammunition, including advanced firearms, was recovered from the militants’ hideout, indicating the scale of their planned attacks.

According to army officials, the militants had been operating from a well-fortified location, which served as a base for planning potential sabotage operations. Given the upcoming vote counting and the discovery of these weapons, security forces are on high alert, fearing further attempts to destabilize the region.

The operation in Kupwara is ongoing, with security personnel combing the area for any remaining militants who may be in hiding. Officials believe that this recent success could prevent more serious incidents during this sensitive period in Kashmir.

The assembly elections, which concluded last week, have seen heightened security, as several militant attacks have occurred in the region. Just days before the final round of voting, a security guard was martyred in a gunfight with militants in the Kathura region, underscoring the ongoing threat of insurgency.

The discovery of weapons and militant hideouts so close to the vote counting has raised concerns within the security establishment. Forces remain vigilant to ensure that no further violence disrupts the democratic process in the volatile region.

Despite these challenges, the joint efforts of the army and police have been praised for their swift and coordinated action in curbing militancy. However, the situation remains tense as forces continue their operations in the region to ensure peace and stability.