The encounter began when the army and police made contact with militants in the dense forest at Trimukha Top, a strategic location connecting the Lolab Valley with Bandipora and Baramulla districts. This area is frequently used by militants to move between districts, particularly after infiltrating from across the Line of Control via the Tanghdar and Machil sectors of Kupwara.

It remains unclear if there have been any casualties in the initial exchange between security forces and the militants.

“Security forces have established contact with terrorists near Trimukha Top, Lolab, Kupwara. Operation in progress,” Kashmir Police posted on X.

The encounter is taking place near the army’s Divar camp, which monitors militant movements in the Lolab Valley. This valley has historically served as a transit point for infiltrators entering Kupwara from across the LoC. Although the Lolab Valley has been relatively calm recently, a few months ago, the Border Security Forces (BSF) and the army uncovered a militant hideout near Sogam.

The army has thwarted three infiltration attempts in the Keran and Uri sectors over the past two months, resulting in the deaths of six infiltrators, mostly foreign nationals, near the LoC. Following these encounters, the army has increased its vigilance in areas commonly used by infiltrators to enter the Valley. This includes regular patrols and the use of surveillance technology on high-tech fencing close to the LoC, especially during night and adverse weather conditions. The army also employs drones, quadcopters, and human intelligence to monitor and track the movement of infiltrators near the LoC fencing.