A joint operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has resulted in the killing of a LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) terrorist in the high-altitude forests of Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir. The slain terrorist has been identified as Yasir, a Pakistani national affiliated with the banned terror organisation, according to Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The development came a day after security forces launched a major search operation in the Ashdar Gali area of Budgam, following intelligence inputs about the movement of suspected terrorists through the forested and mountainous terrain.
J&K Police confirms identity of slain terrorist
Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed Yasir’s identity on Saturday, September 5, describing him as a Pakistani national associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. In a post on X, the police said the terrorist neutralised during Operation Ashdar had been identified as Yasir and issued a stern message to terror networks operating in the region.
The identification followed the encounter in which security forces engaged suspected terrorists after detecting suspicious movement in the area. An AK-series rifle and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site, according to the Army.
The operation has drawn attention because of the difficult terrain involved. The Ashdar Gali region lies in the mountainous belt around Yusmarg, where dense forests and high-altitude routes can provide cover for armed groups attempting to evade security forces.
Operation Ashdar began after intelligence inputs
The joint operation was launched after security agencies received specific information about the movement of a suspected terrorist group. According to reports, the group was believed to have moved through the Pakherpora-Pulwama and Yusmarg-Budgam belts.
The Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said troops observed suspicious activity during the search operation. When the suspected terrorists were challenged, they opened fire, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire.
During the firefight, one terrorist was neutralised and an AK rifle was recovered. Security forces subsequently intensified searches across the surrounding forests as they suspected that additional terrorists could still be hiding in the area.
Yasir linked to earlier terror attacks
Officials and reports have linked Yasir to a LeT group led by slain commander Junaid Ahmed Bhat. Investigators have alleged that Yasir was involved in several violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir during 2024.
According to reports, he was linked to the Poonch Indian Air Force convoy ambush as well as attacks involving security personnel and civilian workers. He was also allegedly part of the group involved in the October 24, 2024 attack in the Bota Pathri area near Gulmarg, in which five people, including three soldiers and two porters, were killed.
Reports also indicate that Yasir had operated with other LeT members in the Yusmarg and Pulwama areas and had remained under surveillance as security agencies tracked the movement of the group.
Security forces maintain pressure in Kashmir
The latest encounter highlights the continued focus of Indian security agencies on detecting and dismantling militant networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Army, J&K Police and CRPF have been conducting coordinated search and cordon operations in forested areas based on intelligence inputs. Such operations are particularly challenging in mountainous terrain, where visibility is limited and terrorists can potentially use natural cover to move between locations.
The search operation following the Ashdar encounter was expanded as security forces continued efforts to determine whether other members of the suspected group remained in the area.
Major counter-terror breakthrough
The killing of Yasir is being viewed by security officials as an important development in the fight against Pakistan-linked terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. His identification as a Pakistani national affiliated with LeT has added significance to the operation, particularly amid continued efforts to prevent infiltration and disrupt militant networks in the region.
For security forces, the operation also demonstrates the importance of intelligence-led searches and coordinated action between the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF.
With searches continuing in the wider area, security agencies remain focused on locating any remaining militants and securing the difficult forest belt around Yusmarg and Ashdar Gali. The operation underscores the continuing vigilance of security forces against attempts by armed groups to establish or maintain networks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates and exclusive coverage.
