An encounter was underway between security forces and terrorists in the Chatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
‘Contact has been established with the terrorists’
16 Corps, Indian Army posted on X, “Based on specific intelligence, a joint search operation was underway in Kanzal Mandu, Kishtwar. Contact has been established with the terrorists and operations are in progress.”
Op CHHATRU
Based on specific #intelligence a joint search operation was underway in Kanzal Mandu, #Kishtwar.
Contact has been established with the #terrorists and #operations are in progress.@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA---Advertisement---— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) July 2, 2025
According to PTI, the encounter began after the security forces launched an operation to track down the terrorists in the mountains.
The report cited that at least three terrorists are holed up in the area as a fierce gunbattle was underway.
Security tightened along Jammu-Srinagar Highway
Meanwhile, security has been heightened along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) as the Shri Amarnath Yatra commenced on Wednesday. The first batch of pilgrims was flagged by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha. The official start of the Yatra will take place on July 3, with pilgrims travelling via both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Before the flag-off, LG Sinha offered prayers at the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu. As the pilgrims began their journey, the air was resonated with chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Bam Bam Bhole.’
‘Devotees in safe hands’
Reacting to the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sat Sharma said, “Thousands of devotees have come here for Baba Amarnath Darshan. Just two months ago, a different environment was created, but today we can see how the devotees are raising Baba Bhole’s slogans. The people have faith that they are in safe hands.”
In the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack, tension prevailed in the region, and security concerns were raised. In light of the recent Pahalgam attack, security concerns have been heightened in the area. Several security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of the devotees. A facial recognition system has been installed, and the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) has ramped up surveillance, deploying K-9 (dog) squads along with personnel on the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a key route for thousands of pilgrims.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, VK Birdi, stated on Tuesday that comprehensive security and administrative arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage for the Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3.
