In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Indian security forces have launched a relentless series of operations across Jammu and Kashmir. In six back-to-back encounters across Jammu & Kashmir, security forces eliminated 21 terrorists, including 12 Pakistani nationals who infiltrated across the border and 9 radicalised local operatives. operatives.
The operations were conducted jointly by the Indian Army, CRPF, BSF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, showcasing the seamless coordination and uncompromising stance of Indian security forces.
Breakdown of the Encounters
1. Operation Akhal – Kulgam
Three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists eliminated:
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Zakir Ahmed Gani (Kulgam) – Joined LeT in Sept 2023
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Adil Rehman Dentu (Sopore) – Category-A terrorist, active since March 2021
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Harish Dar (Pulwama) – Category-C, joined in June 2024
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These individuals were engaged in local recruitment and logistical support for cross-border infiltration.
2. Samba Sector – Jaish-e-Mohammed Module
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7 Pakistani terrorists from Jaish-e-Mohammed were neutralised by BSF.
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Their identities are pending forensic verification.
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This is one of the largest single-day blows to JeM in recent months.
3. Kellar Forest, Shopian – Lashkar Cell Neutralised
3 terrorists, all with blood on their hands:
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Shahid Kutte – Accused in the German tourist shooting, the BJP sarpanch killing, and the Territorial Army jawan’s death.
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Adnan Shafi Dar – Murdered a migrant labourer on the day he joined LeT.
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Aamir Bashir – TRF member, tied to the Pahalgam attack.
4. Tral Forest – Jaish Module Broken
3 Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives killed:
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Asif Ahmed Sheikh – District commander, active since April 2022
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Aamir Nazir Wani – April 2024
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Yawar Ahmed Bhatt – August 2024
These terrorists were reactivating sleeper cells in South Kashmir.
5. Operation Mahadev – Mulnar Village
3 Pakistani LeT operatives were gunned down:
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Sulaiman, Afghan, and Jibran
These were the same terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam massacre, as confirmed by Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha.
6. Operation Shivshakti – Poonch
2 Pakistani LeT infiltrators neutralised.
They had recently crossed from PoK and were tracked down by Army units in Poonch.
The Changing Landscape of Terrorism in J&K
Intelligence reports confirm that local recruitment into terror groups has declined. However, several high-value terrorists remain at large, posing a persistent threat, especially as Pakistan-backed infiltration attempts continue from across the LoC
Among those still active:
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Zubair Ahmed Wani (alias Abu Ubaida, Category A+) – Operational commander of Hizbul in Anantnag
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Asif Khande, Ahsan Shaikh, Aaron Rashid Ganai, and others remain under surveillance.
Strategic Shift: India’s New Doctrine on Terror
From Operation Mahadev to Shivshakti and Akhal, the naming of operations signals a decisive ideological shift. This is not just about neutralising terrorists—it is about reclaiming the narrative.
No longer is India relying solely on reactive defence. Instead, it is proactively targeting terror networks at the root, whether in Kashmir’s forests or deep within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
These operations are not isolated acts of retaliation. They are part of a calibrated shift in India’s counter-terror doctrine, one that prioritises pre-emptive neutralisation, speed, and territorial control. At the heart of this transformation is Operation Bhairav.
A New Era in Counter-Terror Doctrine: Operation Bhairav
Strategic Overview
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“Bhairav Light Commando Battalions” (also called Bhairav) are newly raised elite light infantry units under the Indian Army.
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Introduced by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi during Kargil Vijay Diwas, these units are designed for rapid strike, border infiltration, and surprise operations against adversaries.
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They complement the newly formed “Rudra All‑Arms Brigades”, which integrate infantry, armour, artillery, special forces, drones, air defence, and logistics under unified control.
Key Features
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Each Bhairav battalion comprises approximately 250 highly trained commandos, drawn mostly from existing infantry contingents.
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India plans to raise 30 to 50 such battalions, focused on swift, high-impact border operations rather than deep-penetration missions typical of special forces. Slated for operational readiness within a month of their announcement, emphasising agility without increasing overall troop numbers.
Doctrine in Action
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These units emerged as part of India’s move from reactive border defence to an offensive deterrence doctrine, catalysed by Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strikes inside Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack.
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Bhairav battalions will function alongside Rudra brigades, which already include drone platoons, artillery enhancements, and counter-UAV systems at the battalion level
Significance
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They offer India high-speed raid capabilities on sensitive borders, plugging gaps between conventional forces and elite SF units.
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The formation of Bhairav units reflects a strategic shift toward an AI, drones, and light-commando-enabled military posture, better equipped for rapid escalation and asymmetrical threats.
Final Word
These are not isolated operations; they mark a clear shift in India’s approach to terror.
No more waiting, no more warnings.
With Bhairav and Mahadev, Bharat has shown it will strike first, strike fast, and strike hard.
This is not just a security policy, it’s civilisational clarity.
Terror will not be tolerated.
