Terrorists opened fire during search; area sealed, reinforcements deployed.
Srinagar: A gunfight erupted between security forces and separatist militants in the Akhal forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's southern Kulgam district late Friday evening. The police sources here said that, following intelligence about suspicious activity, a cordon was established in the area. "During the search, terrorists opened heavy fire, leading to an ongoing exchange of gunfire", the sources said, adding that the area is sealed off, with reinforcements deployed.
Meanwhile, the police in neighbouring Anantnag arrested three individuals during a naka check on the district's Krad Ranipora Road, seizing illegal arms and ammunition.
The operation, conducted by Uttersoo Police Station, J&K Police’s Special Operations Group, Army’s 19 Rashtriya Rifles, and 96 Battalion CRPF near Panchayat Ghar Krad, intercepted a suspicious Alto 800 vehicle traveling from Krad to Ranipora, a police spokesman said. He added that the driver attempted to flee but was stopped along with two others.
"A search revealed arms and ammunition on the suspects, identified as Waseem Rehman and Eahsan Akram from Midoora, Tral, Awantipora, and Ishfaq Ahmed Bhat from Koil, Pulwama. Initial investigations indicate they obtained the weapons from the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), likely planning a terror act. A case (FIR No. 40/2025) under Sections 18, 39, 23 of UAPA and Section 7/25 of the Indian Arms Act has been filed at Uttersoo Police Station, with further investigation underway," the spokesman said.
