Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Friday, 24 July acknowledged that while terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have fallen sharply, eliminating residual militancy remains a 'challenge' for security forces and society alike. His remarks came hours after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot at close range by a terrorist while on patrolling duty in Anantnag, and was declared brought dead on arrival at hospital.

What Indresh Kumar Said

'Slowly, Jammu and Kashmir is becoming free from terrorism. I would like to congratulate the government, the Army, and society for this. However, some isolated incidents and violent incidents are still taking place. These are very sad, and no amount of condemnation is enough for them,' Kumar said.

He described such violence as 'a sign of cowardice' and 'a sign of cruelty,' adding that perpetrating such acts 'also reflects their weakness.' He expressed confidence that the Union Territory — particularly the Kashmir Valley — would eventually be completely free of terrorism, citing the already 'drastic fall' in militant activity as grounds for optimism.

Kumar also noted that despite attempts by terrorists to spread fear, 'the people of the country have shown that they are not scared and they will never be so.'

The Anantnag Attack

Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot by a terrorist from close range while conducting a patrol in Anantnag. He was killed on the spot, and doctors confirmed he was brought dead to the hospital. Following the attack, police launched an aggressive manhunt for the assailant, circulating the suspect's photograph among the general public to aid identification and reporting.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the family of the slain constable on Friday to offer condolences.

Kumar on Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

Responding to a question about the recent police crackdown on protesters in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Kumar said: 'In Pakistan, there is severe oppression even against Pakistanis themselves. Therefore, Pakistan is on the verge of breaking apart because of its own actions. In 1971, it had already broken. After that, today Balochistan, and the people of Sindh are also continuously struggling to separate from it.'

Broader Security Context

The killing of Head Constable Qureshi underscores the persistent threat posed by isolated militant actors even as overall terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have declined significantly over recent years. Security analysts have repeatedly noted that while large-scale coordinated attacks have become rarer, targeted killings of security personnel and civilians remain a stubborn feature of the conflict. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on security forces in the Union Territory in 2025, reinforcing the RSS leader's assessment that the final phase of counter-insurgency carries its own distinct risks.

As the manhunt for the Anantnag attacker continues, all eyes will be on whether security forces can make an early arrest — a result that would signal the effectiveness of the intelligence grid that has driven the broader decline in militancy.