Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir) [India]: In a provocative move, Pakistani Army posts opened unprovoked small arms fire across multiple sectors of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir during the night of April 25-26. Indian forces stationed along the LoC responded promptly with small arms fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported on the Indian side.
In a separate development, security forces killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist associate during an encounter on Friday in Bandipora. The individual, identified as Altaf Lalli, was a member of the LeT militant outfit. The operation took place in the Kulnar area of Ajas in the district, where two security personnel were also injured in the exchange of gunfire. The two injured officers, who sustained gunshot wounds, were shifted to a nearby hospital and are currently in stable condition.
According to police officials, the encounter followed a search operation initiated based on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. The firefight ensued as security forces closed in on the militants.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed, Indian Army forces remain on high alert. The Army has launched multiple search operations in a bid to neutralize remaining terrorist elements. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Udhampur on Friday to assess the security situation at the Northern Command headquarters.
During his visit, General Dwivedi was briefed on the security situation along the LoC in Poonch-Rajouri districts and areas south of the Pir Panjal mountain ranges. He also visited Srinagar, where he met senior commanders and officials from various security agencies to review the situation in the Kashmir Valley.
The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists at Baisaran meadow, resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, with several others injured. In response to the attack, the Central government has implemented several diplomatic and security measures. These include:
- Closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.
- Suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, with a 40-hour deadline for their departure.
- Reduction of staff in the High Commissions of both countries.
- Persona Non Grata status for Pakistan’s Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in New Delhi, with a week’s deadline to leave India.
- Withdrawal of Indian Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from Islamabad.
In another significant step, India has halted the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960, in response to the terror attack.