An encounter between security forces and terrorists is underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, with officials believing that terrorists are trapped in the area. The operation, which commenced following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants, has seen intense exchange of fire.

In recent related incidents, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, including a self-styled "commander," were killed in Pulwama during an anti-militancy operation. The militants were encircled during a search and cordon operation in Nihama, where they were hiding inside a house. Security forces used explosives to dislodge the militants, who were firing at them. Riyaz Ahmad Dar, an LeT commander active for eight years, was identified as one of the slain militants.

Earlier in the week, security forces neutralized two terrorists in an encounter in the Nihama area of Pulwama. Initial reports indicated that a joint team of police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Nihama. As the joint team approached the spot, the militants fired upon them, triggering the gunfight.

These operations are part of ongoing efforts by security forces to counter-terrorism in the region. Recently, one terrorist was killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in the Padgampora area of Pulwama. The gunbattle started after a search operation was launched following information about the presence of terrorists. In a separate incident, an encounter broke out between security forces and militants in the Mitrigam area of Pulwama. The search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon the forces, who retaliated.

The broader context of these events is the upcoming 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, where Pulwama, a district with a history of violence, is set to witness an intense showdown. The primary contenders are the National Conference (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Pulwama has been dominated by the PDP since 2022, but the National Conference is now vying for influence.

These encounters highlight the persistent efforts to eliminate terrorism in the Kashmir Valley. While local terror groups have been significantly weakened, there are continuous attempts by foreign terrorists to infiltrate the region, posing an ongoing challenge to security forces.