Srinagar, Jul 23: Security forces on Thursday intensified counter terrorism operations across Kashmir, a day after a police constable was killed in a targeted terrorist attack in Anantnag.
Security has also been strengthened across the Valley, with special checkpoints and vehicle checking points set up at several locations to maintain a strict vigil.
As part of the operations, the houses of two alleged active Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were demolished in separate actions in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
As per reports, the residence of Aadil Ahmad Thokar, a resident of Guri village, was demolished during the operation. In a separate action, the house of Haroon Rashid Ganai of Hassanpora Tawella in Bijbehara was also brought down. The operations were carried out as part of measures aimed at disrupting militant infrastructure and support networks.
The intensified operations follow the killing of police constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who was shot dead by terrorists in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag on Wednesday. Qureshi was deployed for security duties related to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Following the attack, security agencies expanded search operations across several districts of J&K. Officials said thousands of suspected overground workers and other persons are being questioned as part of the investigation to identify any support network linked to militant activities.
Meanwhile, security arrangements across Kashmir have been further strengthened. Special nakas have been established at important road junctions, entry and exit points, and other sensitive locations across the Valley. Security personnel are carrying out round-the-clock checking of vehicles and verifying the identity of commuters to prevent any untoward incident.
Additional deployments have also been made along the Amarnath Yatra route to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Senior security officials said the situation is being closely monitored and all necessary measures have been put in place to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
Over 3,500 detained across valley
More than 3,500 persons have been detained across the Valley as police on Thursday intensified search operations to track down the assailant who shot dead a police official in Anantnag district a day earlier.
“The anti-terror operations are in full swing and, so far, we have detained more than 3,500 suspects for questioning following the terror attack in Anantnag yesterday,” a senior police official said.
He said mobile vehicle check points have been established at various places to prevent the assailant and his accomplices from escaping.
Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Anantnag and adjoining areas as cordon and search operations have intensified across the district, the official said.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has directed officials to intensify anti-terror operations to neutralise emerging security threats in the Union territory.
Sinha gave these directions during a security review meeting with senior officials from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces and key security agencies.
An official spokesperson said, “The L-G directed officials to remain highly vigilant, step up intelligence-led anti-terror operations and proactively neutralise emerging security threats.”
The security review meeting was held a day after a lone terrorist shot dead a police official, deployed for Amarnath Yatra security, at Lal Chowk in Anantnag district.
The meeting was attended by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt General Pratik Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
