Army Para Commandos and the Rashtriya Rifles have cornered a group of terrorists in the Yusmarg highland meadow area of Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday, following a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs. According to top security sources, approximately two terrorists are believed to be trapped inside the cordon.

How the Operation Unfolded

Troops from 10 Para Commandos, who were patrolling the higher reaches of Yusmarg, made contact with the hiding terrorists — resulting in an exchange of gunfire. Following the initial contact, units of 53 Rashtriya Rifles rushed to the site and reinforced the cordon to prevent the militants from exploiting the cover of darkness to escape.

The area falls under the jurisdiction of Khansahib police station in Budgam. Additional reinforcements from the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have since moved in to further tighten the perimeter, according to security sources.

The Strategic Significance of Yusmarg

Yusmarg, a highland meadow in the upper reaches of Budgam, has historically served as a transit corridor for militants attempting to move between the Kashmir Valley and the higher mountain passes. Security forces have periodically conducted operations in this belt, particularly during the summer months when the snow recedes and movement becomes feasible.

This comes amid a broader uptick in counter-terrorism activity across the Kashmir Valley, with the Army and central forces conducting multiple CASOs in recent months following intelligence inputs about infiltration attempts.

Budgam's History of Anti-Terror Operations

Budgam district has been the site of several significant counter-terrorism operations over the decades. In January 2023, operations in the Charar Shareef (Zinpanchal/Hapatnar) and Redbugh (Magam) areas resulted in the killing of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in a brief gunfight. In January 2022, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists were neutralised during an overnight encounter in Zolwa Chadoora village. Encounters in Chadoora and Nowgam outskirts in October 2020 also resulted in terrorist deaths.

Notably, the district witnessed its most consequential operation in 1995, when Pakistani terrorist Mast Gul and a group of armed militants seized the 14th-century shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani in Charar-e-Sharief in February and March 1995. Joint forces surrounded the town, and the Army deliberately avoided a direct assault to protect the holy shrine and minimise civilian casualties. Terrorists planted explosive devices and landmines on approach roads to block troop movement.

The standoff lasted over 66 days. On the night of 11 May 1995, a massive fire — set by the cornered militants — destroyed the shrine and hundreds of wooden homes in the town. Mast Gul managed to escape in the ensuing chaos and returned to Pakistan. The operation resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 militants, 2 soldiers, and 5 civilians.

What Happens Next

Security forces are maintaining the cordon through the night. Given the terrain and the use of darkness as cover by militants in past operations in this region, a resolution — whether through surrender or an encounter — is likely to come in the early morning hours. The operation remains active and no official statement on its outcome has been issued as of the time of reporting.