Major Success for Security Forces: IED Expert eliminated , Highway Blast Averted in Ganderbal

GANDERBAL (Special Correspondant), April 1, 2026 — Security forces achieved a significant breakthrough in counter-terrorism operations on Wednesday morning by neutralizing a high-ranking terrorist suspected to be an IED expert in the Arhama forest area of central Kashmir.

The elimination of the unidentified Terrorist has reportedly foiled a major plot to target strategic National Highways with improvised explosive devices. Security agencies had been on high alert following multiple “concrete inputs” over the past week regarding a potential IED threat aimed at disrupting movement along the critical transit routes in the district.

The successful operation was the result of a coordinated effort by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF, who launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Arhama late Tuesday evening.

Following an intense overnight gunfight, the specialized operative was gunned down, though the identity of the eliminated Terrorist remains under verification.

While the immediate threat to the highway has been mitigated, a massive search operation remains underway in the dense forest terrain as troops continue to hunt for a second terrorist believed to be trapped within the security perimeter.

Detailed forensic analysis of the encounter site is expected as the area remains cordoned off.