India has begun a fierce counter-offensive in response to the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 innocent lives. In a significant breakthrough, top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Altaf Lalli was neutralized in Bandipora during a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police.
Early Friday, based on precise intel about terrorist presence, security forces launched a search and cordon operation in Bandipora. A confrontation soon escalated into a fierce gunbattle. Reports indicate one terrorist was wounded in the initial crossfire, while two police officers, assigned to a senior officer’s personal security team, also sustained injuries.
In a show of urgency, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar to review the ongoing crackdown and evaluate progress on neutralizing those responsible for the Pahalgam carnage.
Meanwhile, in a strong message to terror supporters, the homes of two militants allegedly linked to the attack were demolished. The residence of Adil Hussain Thoker in Bijbehara was blown up using IEDs, while Asif Sheikh’s house in Tral was razed with a bulldozer.
Thoker is accused of facilitating Pakistani terrorists in orchestrating the brutal ambush in Baisaran Valley, where attackers in military uniforms targeted tourists, allegedly checking IDs and executing non-Muslims at point-blank range.
The Anantnag Police announced a Rs 20 lakh reward for tips on Thoker and two Pakistani operatives, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa. Their sketches have been released as an intensive manhunt continues.
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