Intense anti-militancy operations have been launched at various locations in Kashmir
India has launched extensive counter-terrorism operations across various locations in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, according to reports in the local media.
Four counter-terrorism operations are currently taking place in the region as part of a heightened security crackdown, the ANI news agency cited officials as saying. The move comes in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in which militants gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The attack has triggered outrage across India and led to calls for swift action against Pakistan, which has long been accused of training anti-India terrorists. Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack and vowed a firm response.
“I say to the whole world, India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” he said. “Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done.”
Two of the current operations are continuations of previous activities, while the other two are new developments, according to the reports. The Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police are conducting joint operations, with a focus on southern Kashmir, reports said.
Security has been increased in areas such as Pulwama (the scene of a major terror attack in 2019), where searches and combing operations are taking place in forested and rural areas. As part of the security measures, 48 out of 87 public parks and gardens in vulnerable areas have been closed in an effort to maintain safety and prevent potential threats.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Reuters on Monday that his country was expecting an Indian military incursion and that Islamabad’s military was ready to face mounting threats. So far, New Delhi has taken diplomatic measures, which include expelling Pakistani nationals from the country, closing the only operative land border crossing between the countries, and suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that governs the shared use of the Indus River system.
Islamabad has denied any involvement in the Kashmir attack and has called for a neutral and transparent investigation.
