J&K Police Head Constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi Killed in First Terror Attack Since Pahalgam Massacre

Srinagar: Head Constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi of the Jammu and Kashmir Police was killed after terrorists opened fire on him in Anantnag district, marking the first terrorist attack in the Kashmir Valley since the deadly Pahalgam massacre of April 2025. The attack has triggered a massive counter-terror operation and heightened security across the Union Territory. According to officials, the attack took place near Lal Chowk in Anantnag while Qureshi, who was posted with the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) and attached to the Special Operations Group (SOG), was deployed for security duties related to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. A lone terrorist allegedly opened fire at close range, critically injuring the officer. He later succumbed to his injuries despite efforts to save him. Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and launched an extensive search operation to trace the attackers. Additional reinforcements were rushed to south Kashmir, while checkpoints were strengthened across the region to prevent the assailants from escaping. Authorities also initiated a wider crackdown, detaining a large number of suspects for questioning as part of ongoing counter-terror investigations. The killing is being viewed as a significant security concern because it is the first militant strike in Kashmir since the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. Since that attack, security agencies had intensified anti-terror operations, leading to a prolonged period without a major terrorist incident in the Valley. Following the attack, senior police and security officials reviewed the security situation in south Kashmir. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and intelligence inputs to identify the perpetrators and determine whether the attack was carried out by a lone militant or with logistical support from a larger terrorist network. As part of the intensified response, security agencies also carried out operations targeting suspected militant infrastructure in Anantnag district. Officials said these measures are aimed at disrupting terrorist networks and preventing further attacks, particularly during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, which remains under heightened security. The killing of Head Constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi has once again underscored the persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir despite sustained counter-insurgency efforts. With the Amarnath Yatra underway and security forces maintaining a high state of alert, authorities are expected to further strengthen intelligence-led operations to prevent any attempt by terrorist groups to revive violence in the Valley.