Less than 40 hours after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, in which 26 people, including a Nepali citizen, were killed, the Indian security forces have zeroed in on specific terror launch pads and training camps situated across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to a report in India Today, the intelligence inputs suggest that these launch pads have been under close surveillance by Indian agencies for months now. The report also stated that the Army shared the comprehensive briefing about these facilities with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The briefing also included operational options and strategic recommendations.
Reportedly, Indian Army is keeping a close eye on the developments at these facilities, while tactical options, like precision surveillance expansion and reinforcement of the counter-infiltration grid, are under consideration.
115 Pak terrorists in PoK
Intelligence inputs reveal that 42 terror launch pads remain active in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) near the Line of Control, with an estimated 130 terrorists stationed there. In Jammu and Kashmir, over 70 terrorists are believed to be operating in the Valley and around 60–65 in the Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch regions, with approximately 115 of them being Pakistani nationals.
Data indicates that most of the 42 foreign terrorists neutralised were concentrated in five districts of Jammu: Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, and Rajouri. In the Kashmir Valley, they were primarily targeted in Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Kulgam. Baramulla emerged as the hotspot, with 14 foreign militants killed across nine encounters, especially in areas like Sabura Nala, Main Uri sector, Kamalkot Uri near the LoC, and Sopore’s hinterlands including Chak Tappar Kriri, Nowpora, Hadipora and Watergam.
Pakistan Army declares high alert
In the meantime, as the situation tenses further, the Pakistan Army has declared high alert on its side of the Line of Control. The decision comes in anticipation of possible Indian action, Indian intelligence sources revealed. Notably, Pakistan Army breached the ceasefire three times in Jammu and Kashmir this year. During this time, five terrorists were eliminated by the Indian Army during an encounter.