Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir – April 26: Just days after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people, Indian security forces have killed Altaf Lali, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, during a counterterrorism operation in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir.
The operation was launched early this morning as part of an extensive response to the Pahalgam attack. According to Indian media, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police acted on specific intelligence inputs, coordinating a joint offensive in the Bandipora area.
During the operation, multiple militant targets were identified, and an exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the death of Altaf Lali. One terrorist was reportedly injured during the initial phase of the encounter, and two Indian police officers sustained injuries as well.
The Indian government has responded swiftly and aggressively in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, aiming to dismantle the militant infrastructure responsible for the coordinated assault.
In a related development, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar to meet with top operational commanders and review the ongoing anti-terror operations in the region. His presence underscores the gravity of the situation and the Indian military’s intensified crackdown on terror networks operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
As part of the counteroffensive, Indian security forces also demolished the residences of two individuals suspected of involvement in the Pahalgam attack. The house of Lashkar militant Adil Hussain Thokar in Bijbehara was blown up, while the house of Asif Sheikh in Tral was demolished using a bulldozer.
These actions mark a dramatic escalation in India’s efforts to suppress cross-border terrorism and target key figures within extremist groups believed to be operating with external support.
The region remains on high alert as further operations are expected to follow in the coming days.
