Jammu and Kashmir News: Two army jawans abducted by terrorists in Anantnag; One found dead.

In a tragic incident from Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists abducted two Territorial Army (TA) soldiers in the Kokernag forest area of Anantnag district. While one soldier returned safely, the body of the other, Hilal Ahmad Bhat, was found riddled with bullets in the South Kashmir region of Anantnag. A whole country is shocked. What has brought it under focus is the security challenges the Indian Army personnel face in the region.

Terrorist Abduction of Army Jawans in Anantnag

The abduction was on Tuesday when two jawans of the Territorial Army were kidnapped by terrorists in the dense Kokernag forest of Anantnag. In no time after the incident gained notoriety, huge search operations were launched by security forces. One of the abducted men managed to come out and return, but Hilal Ahmad Bhat, the other, was found dead with multiple bullet injuries in the Sanglan forest region of Utrasoo, Anantnag.

The killing of Hilal Ahmad Bhat is another incident that depicts dangers soldiers take in Kashmir, especially areas with more instances marked for terrorist activities. Since the killing of the soldier, condemnation of the killing has been widespread and the security forces are still tracking down the perpetrators and assure justice for the killed soldier.

Kokernag Search Operation Still On

The Indian Army, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies, launched a joint search operation to trace terrorists who had kidnapped and killed the jawan. The Chinar Corps based in Srinagar stated it initiated a counter-terrorist operation in Kazwan Forest in Kokernag, Anantnag, on an intelligence input. Operation started on 8th of October and the forces continued their operations through the night.

Of late, the kidnapping and killing of Hilal Ahmad Bhat is an alarming trend that has been taking place in Kashmir, where it has also been reported that terrorists have been killing **Indian Army soldiers**. The districts have witnessed several cases of kidnapping in the past few years, especially in South Kashmir comprising of the districts of **Shopian, Kulgam**, and **Anantnag**. These places have been considered prime hotspots of militant activities, and such tactics are generally undertaken by the terrorists to create fear and further further confuse the security system.

A Recurring Terrorist Strategy

It is not the first time when the terrorists have kidnapped soldiers in Kashmir. Since the last eight years, more than five soldiers have been kidnapped and brutally murdered in various districts of the valley. The latest incident is that a soldier from the district **Kulgam** has gone missing in August 2023 when he was on leave; the police found him later. In the year 2022, terrorists have kidnapped and murdered one of the army personnel at **Budgam**.

Such incidents are usually a show of protest by the terrorists against the security personnel, with a special emphasis on the local soldiers who are deputed in the Indian Army. Such occurrences make the incidents a repeated affair in the state, indicating a persistent security issue in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Role of Indian Army in Anti-Terrorism

Security and the Indian Army The Indian Army plays an absolutely critical role in ensuring that Jammu and Kashmir is safe and terrorism is fought there. Abduction and killing of such soldiers as Hilal Ahmad Bhat portrays realities of protection of the sovereignty of the Indian nation by the Indian Army. One of the most critical enablers of this security effort has been the Territorial Army recruiting local soldiers, which have helped in putting stability back to the area and to eventually suppress the rebellion.

The killing of **Hilal Ahmad Bhat** by brutal force brings under the scanner the issues related to security of soldiers, especially when on leave or stationed in more out-of-the-way areas. **Security forces** have upped their operations in South Kashmir and are still on the lookout for terrorists who committed this brutal act.

Condolences and Call to Action

However, killing this soldier has initiated a very sharp reaction from the Indian masses as well as political elements who have started raising voices against these terrorist groups operating in Kashmir and are demanding stronger measures so that incidents like these could be prevented in the future. The government is being appealed to further strengthen security measures in vulnerable regions so that soldiers serving in the Indian Army could be better protected from such attacks.

The emotional impact on the families

The abduction and murder of **Indian Army soldiers** emotionally leave deep marks on the families of the victim. Hilal Ahmad Bhat’s family is one among thousands of families who are broken along with their sons due to loss. Even as support to the families of the martyrs is extended in the form of the Indian Army, in such cases this emotional cost serves as a cruel reminder of the different sacrifices of all those serving the nation in troubled regions.

Another tragic abduction and killing of a Territorial Army soldier in Anantnag Hilal Ahmad Bhat is a grim reminder of the unrelenting war in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian Army and the security forces have speeded up their search operation to bring the terrorists to book, but with this the country mourns the loss of a very brave soldier who has laid down his life in the line of duty. Given such uninterrupted cases of terrorist abductions, one cannot but raise a few question marks over the sustained vigil, as measures are taken by the security forces to provide peace and stability to that region.