April witnessed a surge in militancy-related violence across Jammu and Kashmir, with 27 civilians killed, including 25 tourists, in a string of deadly incidents. The month also saw five encounters, resulting in the deaths of five non-local militants, two of whom were infiltrators, and the loss of two soldiers.
The bloodiest attack occurred in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam, where 26 people, including a local, Syed Adil Hussain Shah from Hapatnard village, lost their lives in a brutal assault in the Baisaran area. The attack targeted unsuspecting visitors, has sent shockwaves across the Valley and elsewhere.
The first signs of heightened militant activity surfaced early in the month, with an encounter erupting in the Panjthirthi forest area of Kathua, followed by a mine blast in Poonch along the Line of Control after crossfire between Indian and Pakistani forces. Suspected militant movement in Billawar Kathua also triggered a firing response from the Special Operations Group.
Two major encounters on the same day later in the month in Ramnagar's Jofar forest area and in Chatro Kishtwar further signaled a spike in militant presence in Jammu's hilly belts. Three militants were eventually gunned down in the Kishtwar operation. Separately, in the Keri Batal area of Akhnoor, a fierce firefight led to the death of Junior Commissioned Officer Kuldeep Chand.
Infiltration attempts also made headlines, with two militants neutralized in the Uri sector of Baramulla during a foiled border breach. Just a day later, another soldier was killed during a prolonged gunfight in Udhampur’s Dudu Basantgarh area, adding to the toll.
Adding to the civilian tragedy, a social activist, Ghulam Rasool Magray, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Kupwara’s Kandi Khas area. [KNT]
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