A high-stakes counter-terrorism operation, codenamed Operation Nader, was launched early Thursday morning in the Nader area of Tral, Awantipora, by joint security forces comprising the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The operation was initiated based on credible intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of armed terrorists in the region. As security personnel conducted a cordon and search operation, they encountered suspicious movement, following which terrorists opened heavy fire, sparking a fierce gunbattle.
According to initial reports, the operation is still ongoing, with no official confirmation yet on the number of casualties or the identity of the terrorists. Security forces have cordoned off the area, and reinforcements have been deployed to prevent any escape or infiltration.
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This development follows a recent surge in militant activity in the Valley, including the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this month. In a separate encounter just days ago in Shopian, Indian forces neutralized three terrorists, including a local commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba/The Resistance Front (LeT/TRF). Multiple AK-series rifles, ammunition, and war-like stores were recovered from the scene.
The Tral area, once a stronghold of Hizbul Mujahideen, was officially declared militant-free in 2020. However, sporadic incidents continue to test the fragile peace in South Kashmir. Security officials suggest that new recruits and infiltrators are attempting to reestablish terror networks in the region.
The Chinar Corps, headquartered in Srinagar, remains at the forefront of the Indian Army’s counter-insurgency grid in Jammu and Kashmir. Amid rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and ongoing militant activity, forces have ramped up surveillance, patrols, and coordinated intelligence-based operations.
The central government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and today’s operation underscores India’s continued commitment to dismantling militant infrastructure in the Valley.
Further updates on Operation Nader are expected as the situation unfolds.
