Anantnag terror attack: J&K L-G Manoj Sinha chairs high-level security meet
Synopsis
A day after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead at point-blank range in Anantnag's Lal Chowk, J&K L-G Manoj Sinha convened an emergency security review at Lok Bhavan. With TRF — LeT's shadow arm — claiming the kill, and over 3,000 OGWs detained in a sweeping crackdown, the attack underscores the persistent threat to both civilians and security personnel in the Valley even as the Amarnath Yatra season is underway.
Key Takeaways
J&K L-G Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level security meeting at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar on 23 July following the Anantnag terror attack.
Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead at point-blank range in Anantnag's Lal Chowk on Wednesday afternoon.
The Resistance Front (TRF) , an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba , claimed responsibility for the attack.
J&K Police rounded up over 3,000 overground workers (OGWs) from across the Kashmir Valley in a swift crackdown.
The Amarnath Yatra remained suspended due to inclement weather ; its security was a key agenda item at the meeting.
A manhunt is underway; police have released a suspect's image and appealed for public assistance.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday, 23 July chaired a high-level security meeting at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar to review the security situation across the Union Territory and the safety of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, a day after a policeman was shot dead by terrorists in Anantnag. Heads of all intelligence and security agencies attended the briefing, which began at 11 am.
The Attack That Triggered the Review
Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was killed at point-blank range by terrorists in Anantnag's Lal Chowk area on Wednesday afternoon. The killing drew swift condemnation from L-G Sinha, who vowed that those responsible would be 'avenged and brought to justice soon.' A wreath-laying ceremony was held in his honour at District Police Lines, Anantnag, with hundreds attending his funeral in his native Beerwah area.
Who Claimed Responsibility
The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the Anantnag attack. TRF is widely regarded as a shadow outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been claiming credit for LeT-linked attacks since 2019. The group's emergence has complicated the security calculus in the Valley by providing LeT a layer of deniability for targeted killings.
Security Crackdown: 3,000 OGWs Rounded Up
In an aggressive counter-response, the J&K Police rounded up over 3,000 overground workers (OGWs) — civilian supporters of militant networks — from multiple districts across the Kashmir Valley. A massive manhunt is underway to trace the assailants. Police have also released an image of a suspect, urging citizens to report any sightings.
Amarnath Yatra Suspended Due to Weather
The Amarnath Yatra remained suspended on Thursday, though officials clarified the suspension was due to inclement weather in Jammu and Kashmir rather than the security situation. The pilgrimage's security arrangements were among the key agenda items discussed at the L-G's meeting, given the heightened threat environment following the Anantnag attack.
What Happens Next
Security forces are expected to maintain an elevated operational tempo across the Valley following the crackdown. The L-G's meeting signals that the Centre is closely monitoring both the law-and-order situation and the safe conduct of the Amarnath Yatra. Further security reviews are likely as the manhunt for the attackers continues.
Point of View
Low-footprint attacks on security personnel designed to terrorise without triggering a large conventional response. Rounding up 3,000 OGWs is an assertive signal, but mass detentions of overground workers have historically produced diminishing returns if not backed by prosecutable intelligence. The more telling test is whether the manhunt yields the shooter — and whether that leads back to a LeT handler across the border. The Amarnath Yatra's security overlay also raises the stakes: any incident during the pilgrimage season carries outsized political and communal consequences that extend well beyond the Valley.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Anantnag terror attack?
Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead at point-blank range by terrorists in Anantnag's Lal Chowk area on Wednesday afternoon, 22 July. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Why did J&K L-G Manoj Sinha call a high-level security meeting?
L-G Manoj Sinha convened the meeting on 23 July at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar to review the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and assess protective arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra following the Anantnag killing. Heads of all intelligence and security agencies attended.
What is The Resistance Front (TRF) and why does it matter?
TRF is widely regarded as a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), operating since 2019 to claim responsibility for attacks while providing LeT a layer of deniability. Its involvement in the Anantnag killing signals continued LeT activity in the Kashmir Valley.
Why is the Amarnath Yatra suspended?
The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on 23 July due to inclement weather in Jammu and Kashmir, not because of the terror attack. However, the pilgrimage's security arrangements were reviewed at the L-G's high-level meeting given the heightened threat environment.
What steps have security forces taken after the Anantnag attack?
J&K Police rounded up over 3,000 overground workers (OGWs) of militant networks from multiple districts across the Valley. A manhunt is underway to trace the attackers, and police have released a suspect's photograph, urging the public to report any information.
