In a significant development in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Indian security forces neutralized Altaf Lali, a top commander of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), during an encounter in Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 25.
The operation, conducted jointly by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, was initiated based on specific intelligence inputs indicating the presence of militants in the region. As troops launched a cordon and search operation in the early hours of Friday, they came under fire, leading to a fierce gunbattle. Two soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange, and another militant is believed to have been wounded.
This encounter marks the fourth major confrontation in the valley following the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including tourists and security personnel. The brutal assault, carried out by militants affiliated with LeT and its proxy group, The Resistance Front (TRF), targeted non-Muslim male tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam.
In response to the Pahalgam massacre, Indian authorities have intensified counter-terrorism operations across Jammu and Kashmir. On April 24, security forces arrested four Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of LeT in Bandipora, who were allegedly plotting attacks on police personnel and non-local residents. These arrests were part of a series of cordon-and-search operations aimed at dismantling militant networks in the region.
The central government is also considering a permanent deployment of Army and paramilitary forces in vulnerable areas like the Baisaran Valley to plug existing security gaps. Currently, the nearest security units are stationed 10-11 km away from the valley, which is accessible only by foot or horseback. The proposed re-alignment of the security grid aims to ensure rapid response capabilities and prevent future attacks.
The Pahalgam attack has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi accusing Islamabad of supporting the militants responsible for the assault. In retaliation, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, and closed its land border with Pakistan.
As security forces continue their crackdown on militant groups, the elimination of Altaf Lali is seen as a significant blow to LeT’s operations in the region. Authorities remain vigilant, with ongoing efforts to apprehend other militants involved in the Pahalgam attack and to restore peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir.
