Waris Fayaz
Baramulla, Dec 26 : North Kashmir recorded a total of 19 gunfights, including eight infiltration bids, resulting in the elimination of 27 terrorists, the death of five security personnel and two civilian casualties in 2024, according to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Infiltration and gunfights begin in April
The first quarter of 2024 remained quiet with no gunfights reported. However, in April, the region saw its first infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri on April 5, where two terrorists were killed. Later in the month, a gunfight in Sopore on April 26 claimed the lives of two terrorists, including top Pakistani terrorist commander Saifullah. This was Sopore’s first gunfight in 22 months. The operation also left two soldiers and a civilian injured.
June emerged as a critical month with multiple encounters. On June 19, two foreign terrorists, including top categorised terrorist Usman active since 2020, were killed in Rafiabad, Sopore. A police personnel was also injured in the operation, which was hailed as a major success by security forces, during a media briefing.
On June 22, another encounter occurred along the LoC in Uri. This was followed by the discovery of a terrorist hideout in Kupwara on June 27, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and RPG shells.
July: Escalation along the LoC
July witnessed increased infiltration attempts and operations along the LoC. On July 15, three foreign terrorists were killed in Keran, Kupwara. Three days later, on July 18, two terrorists were killed in the same sector, with security forces recovering a rare Steyr AUG rifle.
A 36-hour-long gunfight in Kupwara’s Lolab area on July 23 resulted in the death of a terrorist and a soldier. On July 27, a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) attack in Machil sector led to the death of a soldier and a Pakistani intruder, while four other soldiers sustained injuries.
August to November: Intensified operations
August saw minor activity, with a terrorist killed in Sopore’s Rafiabad on August 24 and three infiltrators eliminated in Kupwara on August 29.
In September, three terrorists were neutralized in the Tapper area of Pattan on September 13, just days ahead of assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
October was marked by a terrorist attack in Gulmarg’s Botapathri on October 24, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers and two porters. Two terrorists were also killed earlier in the month in Kupwara’s Keran sector.
On November 6, two foreign terrorists were killed in Bandipora and Kupwara, with an M4 rifle recovered. The next day, November 7, Sopore witnessed a significant operation in Sagipora, where two terrorists were killed. Another encounter in Sopore woods on November 9 led to the elimination of a terrorist.
December concluded without any reported gunfights, bringing a relatively calm end to an otherwise tumultuous year.
Casualties and recoveries
Throughout 2024, 27 terrorists were killed, many of whom were top commanders or foreign nationals. Security forces lost five personnel, with eight others injured in various operations. Two army porters also lost their lives in the attack. Multiple hideouts were busted, leading to the recovery of advanced weaponry, including M4 rifles, Steyr AUG rifles, and large quantities of ammunition—(KNO)
