Security forces have tightened their control around the Harwan area of Srinagar after an intense gunfight between terrorists and a joint team of the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police. The area remains sealed, with all roads leading to the encounter site barricaded to ensure civilian safety and operational effectiveness.
The operation, which started in the early hours of December 2, was launched based on specific intelligence inputs indicating the presence of militants in the upper reaches of the Dachigam Forest. Initial contact was established during a coordinated search by Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SoG), and the CRPF’s Quick Action Team (QAT).
The encounter led to the elimination of Junaid Ramzan Bhat, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander responsible for orchestrating the Z-Morh tunnel attack, where seven civilians tragically lost their lives. The Z-Morh tunnel, an infrastructure of strategic importance, bypasses the avalanche-prone Gagangir area and provides all-weather connectivity between Kangan town and the Sonamarg tourist resort. Bhat’s neutralization is a significant achievement for the security forces, given his involvement in terror activities that aimed to disrupt both civilian life and critical infrastructure development in the region.
The 6.412-kilometre-long Z-Morh tunnel, a vital infrastructure project, not only improves year-round connectivity to Sonamarg but also strengthens logistical access to Ladakh. Its significance has made it a target for terror groups aiming to disrupt development and connectivity in the region.
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