In the wake of the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Indian security forces have launched an intensified counter-terror crackdown across Jammu and Kashmir. As of today, four counter-terrorism operations are underway, including a major one in the Yarwan forest area of Shopian district, officials confirmed.
Two of these operations are a continuation of earlier engagements, while fresh intelligence inputs have prompted swift action, particularly in South Kashmir’s volatile zones. The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, is leading these joint efforts to flush out suspected terrorists hiding in forested and rural belts.
Southern Kashmir Under Siege: Shopian, Pulwama in Focus
The crackdown is most visible in Shopian and Pulwama, where dense forests and difficult terrain have long been used as hideouts by terror operatives. “Multiple search and combing operations have been launched. The focus is on neutralising sleeper cells believed to be activated after the Pahalgam massacre,” a senior army officer told reporters.
Special Forces, drones, and canine units have been deployed in high-risk areas, especially in South Kashmir — a region that has seen a spike in militant activity following the Pahalgam killings. Security forces are operating under high alert, expecting possible retaliatory strikes or further attempts to target tourists and civilians.
48 Tourist Parks and Gardens Shut as Precaution
Adding to the sweeping security response, 48 of the 87 identified public parks and gardens across Kashmir have been locked down. These include popular tourist spots like Dooshpathri, Kokernag, Duksum, Sinthan Top, Acchabal, Bangus Valley, Margan Top, and Tosamaidan — all of which had been promoted in recent years as part of Kashmir’s eco-tourism and alternate tourism push.
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The decision to shut down these locations was taken after intelligence inputs flagged them as vulnerable to potential attacks. Officials said the move is temporary but necessary to “ensure no soft targets remain exposed” while counter-terror operations are ongoing.
Security Overhaul Comes Exactly One Week After Pahalgam Massacre
The counter-terror efforts come exactly one week after terrorists opened fire on tourists in Baisaran meadows near Pahalgam — an incident that not only triggered national outrage but also severely impacted Kashmir’s tourism sector.
Most of the victims were out-of-state tourists visiting Kashmir for the spring season, traditionally considered a peaceful time.
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The scale and brutality of the April 22 attack have placed enormous pressure on law enforcement and intelligence agencies to dismantle active terror networks, especially those reportedly backed by Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front (TRF).
The Big Picture: Coordinated Sweep Against Terror
Sources say these operations are part of a wider, coordinated campaign launched after credible intelligence pointed to more attacks being planned. The Indian Army, CRPF, J&K Police, and intelligence agencies have intensified their collaboration, conducting raids, interrogations, and arrests across North, Central, and South Kashmir.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also conducting forensic investigations and questioning survivors of the Pahalgam attack, including workers from the zipline facility where the assault occurred.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir administration has called for public cooperation, urging citizens to avoid sensitive areas and to report any suspicious activity.
