LeT Operative Killed in Rajouri Infiltration Attempt

A terrorist who was killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district on Tuesday during a failed infiltration attempt has been identified as an operative of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group. The incident happened in the Jhangar area of the Nowshera sector around 3 PM, when two terrorists tried to cross the border into Indian territory.

According to the Indian Army, security forces noticed suspicious movement near the border and challenged the infiltrators. During the encounter, one terrorist was shot dead while the other managed to escape and return to the Pakistani side of the border.

Based on documents found on the body and intelligence information, the Army identified the slain terrorist as Hamza Yousaf, a resident of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Officials said that Yousaf was a senior operative linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s launchpad network, which helps armed militants cross the border into India. The Army said his death is a major setback for the banned terror outfit.

Security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the terrorist. These included an AK-type rifle with two magazines, two pistols with four magazines, 58 rounds of ammunition, three hand grenades, one mobile phone, two SIM cards, and some Pakistani currency. The recovered items suggest that the infiltrators were well equipped for a possible attack.

Officials said the second terrorist managed to escape during the exchange of fire and crossed back to the Pakistani side. Security forces have increased vigilance and surveillance along the border to prevent further infiltration attempts.

This was the second infiltration attempt foiled by the Army in the Rajouri sector this month. On March 4, troops fired at infiltrating terrorists in the Turkandi area, forcing them to retreat back across the border.

Earlier, during the night of February 19–20, the Army also stopped another infiltration attempt in the Sunderbani area of Rajouri, where troops recovered arms and ammunition left behind by the fleeing militants.

Security forces continue to remain on high alert along the Line of Control to stop infiltration attempts and maintain security in the region.