SRINAGAR: North Kashmir witnessed 19 gunfights in 2024, including eight infiltration attempts, resulting in the elimination of 27 militants, the deaths of five security personnel, and two civilian casualties.
Infiltration and Gunfights Begin in April
The first quarter of 2024 saw no gunfights. However, in April, the region recorded its first infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri on April 5, during which two militants were killed. Later in the month, a gunfight in Sopore on April 26 claimed the lives of two militants, including top Pakistani militant commander Saifullah. This marked Sopore’s first gunfight in 22 months. The operation also left two soldiers and a civilian injured.
June witnessed a surge in encounters. On June 19, two foreign militants, including top-ranked militant Usman, active since 2020, were killed in Rafiabad, Sopore. A police officer was injured during the operation, which security forces hailed as a major success.
On June 22, another encounter took place along the LoC in Uri. This was followed by the discovery of a militant hideout in Kupwara on June 27, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles and RPG shells.
July: Escalation Along the LoC
July saw increased infiltration attempts and operations along the LoC. On July 15, three foreign militants were killed in Keran, Kupwara. Three days later, on July 18, two more terrorists were killed in the same sector, with security forces recovering a rare Steyr AUG rifle.
A 36-hour-long gunfight in Kupwara’s Lolab area on July 23 resulted in the deaths of a militant and a soldier. On July 27, a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) attack in the Machil sector led to the death of a soldier and a Pakistani intruder, while four other soldiers sustained injuries.
August to November: Intensified Operations
August saw limited activity, with a militant killed in Rafiabad, Sopore, on August 24, and three infiltrators eliminated in Kupwara on August 29.
In September, three militants were neutralised in the Tapper area of Pattan on September 13, just ahead of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
October witnessed a militant attack in Gulmarg’s Botapathri on October 24, leading to the deaths of three soldiers and two porters. Earlier in the month, two terrorists were killed in Kupwara’s Keran sector.
November began with the killing of two foreign militants in Bandipora and Kupwara on November 6, with an M4 rifle recovered. On November 7, Sopore witnessed a major operation in Sagipora, resulting in the deaths of two militants. Another encounter in the Sopore woods on November 9 led to the elimination of one militant.
December: A Quiet End to the Year
December concluded without any reported gunfights, bringing a relatively calm end to a turbulent year.
Casualties and Recoveries
Throughout 2024, 27 militants, including top commanders and foreign nationals, were killed. Security forces lost five personnel, with eight others injured in various operations. Additionally, two army porters lost their lives. Several hideouts were uncovered, resulting in the recovery of advanced weaponry, including M4 rifles, Steyr AUG rifles, and substantial quantities of ammunition.
