Fresh Encounter Erupts in Bandipora, Kashmir

Another encounter has broken out in Jammu and Kashmir, this time in the Bandipora district of North Kashmir. Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants.

According to official sources, the operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants opened fire on the security personnel. The exchange of gunfire is currently ongoing, with additional reinforcements rushed to the area to ensure there is no escape route for the militants.

The Bandipora encounter follows a series of intensified anti-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley in recent weeks, in response to a rise in militant activity.

Authorities have also taken precautionary measures in the surrounding areas, suspending internet services and advising residents to stay indoors for their safety.

Fresh Gunfight Breaks Out in Bandipora as Security Forces Intensify Anti-Terror Operations in J&K

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district were engaged in a fierce gunfight with militants on Friday, marking the third such encounter in as many days. The operation was launched as part of intensified efforts to track down militant groups following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this week, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

According to official sources, the gunfight erupted during a joint search operation in the Kulnar Bazipora area of Bandipora, carried out based on credible intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the region. The Chinar Corps confirmed the ongoing operation on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the area had been cordoned off and the search intensified after the militants opened fire on the security personnel.

Two security force personnel were injured in the initial exchange of fire and were immediately evacuated for medical treatment. The operation remains active, with reinforcements deployed and the area under tight security to prevent the militants' escape.

This latest encounter comes in the backdrop of heightened security tensions across Jammu and Kashmir. On Wednesday, the army foiled an infiltration attempt in the Uri sector of north Kashmir, resulting in the killing of two militants. A day later, on Thursday, another gunfight broke out in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, where a jawan lost his life after militants engaged security forces during a combing operation.

The spate of encounters follows Tuesday’s brutal terror attack near the scenic Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 26 and injuring several others in one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years. The attack sent shockwaves across the country, prompting widespread condemnation and an urgent escalation of counter-terror efforts by the Union Government and local authorities.

The Union Government has since announced a series of measures to bolster security, including intensified surveillance, increased deployment in sensitive zones, and coordinated search operations across vulnerable regions of the valley.

As the search operation in Bandipora continues, security forces remain on high alert, with multiple intelligence agencies collaborating to track down those behind the recent wave of violence. The situation remains tense but under control, with further updates expected as the operation progresses.