J&K: Raids intensify after Anantnag attack; over 3000 OGWs rounded up
Srinagar, July 22
Following the terror attack in J&K's Anantnag town in which one local policeman was killed, police intensified raids across the Valley on Wednesday and over 3,000 Over Ground Workers of terrorist outfits were rounded up.
Senior officials said security forces have intensified raids across the Kashmir Valley, picking up over 3,000 OGWs after a cop was killed in a terror attack in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
J&K Police along with security forces launched Valley‑wide raids. Officials said during the raids over 3,000 OGWs were picked up even as search operations were intensified at several places, including Anantnag district.
OGWs were picked up from Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla and other districts after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain, deployed for Amarnath Yatra security duty, was shot dead by a terrorist in Anantnag's Lal Chowk around 12.30 p.m. today.
Following the attack, forces launched a massive manhunt and cordoned off the entire Anantnag town to trace the attacker.
J&K L‑G Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act and offering condolences to the bereaved family.
Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi visited the spot and reviewed the security situation.
The Resistance Front (TRF) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Anantnag terror attack. TRF is a shadow outfit and proxy of the Pakistan‑based Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT). Several key attacks have been attributed to or claimed by the group in this region.
The incident comes amid heightened security arrangements across the Kashmir Valley for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Wednesday's attack in Anantnag is not the first in the Valley in 2026, as there have been previous anti‑terror operations and encounters this year, including recent incidents in districts like Shopian.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking that Head Constable Ashiq Hussain was killed while on yatra duty. But I'm concerned about the human rights angle—rounding up 3000 people in a sweep can lead to many innocent families being traumatized. The security forces need to be careful and have solid evidence, not just a blanket crackdown.
Finally, some serious action against the terror ecosystem. For years we've been talking about OGWs, but now we're actually picking them up. This is the only language Pakistan and its proxies understand. Full support to the security forces. 💪
I'm an American who's been visiting India. This seems like a necessary security measure but also a delicate balance. The numbers are staggering—3000 people detained. I wonder how many will actually be charged and prosecuted. Hope the Indian justice system handles this fairly.
TRF claims responsibility—as if anyone believes that. It's just LeT with a new name. The modus operandi is always the same: target soft spots, disrupt the yatra. But 3000 OGWs rounded up? That's a huge number. This could be a real game changer if they actually dismantle the network. No more funneling money and weapons from across the border. 🎯
Yes, we need security, but let's not forget the ground reality. Many OGWs are young men with no jobs, radicalized by constant propaganda. We need de-radicalization programs alongside these raids. Otherwise we're just cutting the grass, not pulling the roots. Still, my condolences to the HC's family—he died protecting the y
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