J&K terror surge claims 11th soldier in July after Kupwara clash

On July 24, the Indian Army lost Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Naik Dilwar Khan after he suffered fatal bullet wounds during a confrontation with suspected Pakistani terrorists near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir. “On 24 July, suspicious movement was observed and challenged by vigilant troops, in response to which terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. In the ensuing firefight, one terrorist has been eliminated and a NCO injured. Operation is in progress,” stated the Army.

— Whiteknight_IA (@Whiteknight_IA)

Previous Military Casualties
This recent attack raises the military toll in terrorist violence in J&K this month to 11. On July 23, Lance Naik Subhash Chander, 28, from the 7 Jat Regiment, died during a counter-infiltration operation in the Krishna Ghati belt of Poonch district. Earlier, on July 15, a Captain and three soldiers from the 10 Rashtriya Rifles were killed in a shootout in Doda district, and five soldiers from the 22 Garhwal Rifles lost their lives in an ambush in Kathua district’s Machedi forest on July 8.Details of the Kupwara Operation
The operation in Kupwara’s Lolab valley was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir police following intelligence reports of terrorist movement in the area. Officials confirmed that the shootout occurred near Trimukha Top, a strategic forest area close to a military camp. This forest corridor connects Lolab with Bandipora and Baramulla districts and is frequently used by terrorists to move between regions after infiltrating the LoC. “The operation is ongoing,” the Army added, emphasizing their commitment to addressing the threat.Surge in Terrorist Activity
The recent spate of violence, particularly in the Jammu region, has raised concerns about the resurgence of militancy. This summer’s attacks have been concentrated mainly south of the Pir Panjal mountains, which separate Jammu from the Kashmir valley. Notable incidents include attacks between June 9 and 12 that led to the deaths of seven pilgrims, a bus driver, and a CRPF constable. Since October 2021, Jammu has seen at least 50 security personnel, including 40 Army members and one from the IAF, killed in terrorist-related incidents.

Tributes and Ongoing Operations

Senior Army and police officials held a wreath-laying ceremony for Lance Naik Chander in Jammu before his remains were sent to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh. The Army continues to conduct search operations in the affected areas to address the ongoing threat from terrorism. The increased violence and frequent encounters underscore the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in maintaining stability in the region.