Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 3: A group of terrorists were trapped by Army's Para commandos and Rashtriya Rifles during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Thursday following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

Top sources told reporters that 10 Para Commandos, while patrolling the higher reaches of the Yusmarg highland meadow, established contact with terrorists hiding in the area after receiving intelligence inputs about their presence.

An exchange of gunfire took place between the troops and the terrorists.

“Troops of 53 Rashtriya Rifles have rushed to the spot, and the cordon has been reinforced to ensure that the terrorists are prevented from escaping under the cover of darkness,” a top source said.

The area falls under the jurisdiction of Khansahib police station in Budgam. According to sources, two terrorists are reportedly trapped inside the cordon.

Additional reinforcements from the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have also moved into the area to strengthen the cordon.

Budgam district has witnessed several major anti-terror operations in the past.

In January 2023, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in brief gunfights during operations in Charar Shareef (Zinpanchal/Hapatnar) and Redbugh areas of Magam.

In January 2022, three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed during an overnight encounter in Zolwa Chadoora village.

Encounters were also reported in the Chadoora and Nowgam outskirts in October 2020, resulting in the killing of terrorists.

One of the biggest military operations in Budgam was conducted in Charar-e-Sharief town in 1995, leading to a 66-day standoff after Pakistani terrorist Mast Gul and a group of armed terrorists took control of the town and occupied the historic Sufi shrine.

In February and March 1995, the terrorists holed up in the 14th-century shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani. Joint forces surrounded the town, cutting off supplies and seeking to force the militants to surrender.

The Army avoided a direct assault to protect the shrine and prevent civilian casualties. The terrorists, meanwhile, planted explosives and landmines on roads to obstruct the movement of troops.

The standoff continued for more than two months. On the night of May 11, 1995, a massive fire broke out, destroying the shrine and hundreds of wooden houses in the town.

The cornered terrorists were reported to have set the fire, while Mast Gul managed to escape amid the confusion and later returned to Pakistan.

The fighting resulted in the deaths of around 20 militants, two soldiers and five civilians.