Kokernag-Anantnag Terror Attack During Amarnath Yatra: J&K Head Constable Killed, Search Underway

A Jammu and Kashmir police head constable has lost his life in a suspected terrorist attack on the police in the area of Lal Chowk of Kokernag in South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday afternoon. The incident took place around 12.30 PM, which forced security response in the area. One head constable who was injured in the attack was admitted to Government Medical College, where he lost his life. Now Security forces have launched a massive search operation to find the attackers.

Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi Killed

The head constable who scarified his life in the attack has been identified as Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, a 35-years-old local resident of Beerwah, Budgam district. Jammu and Kashmir police has not confirmed it as a terrorist attack and said that the investigation is going on. However, no terrorist organisation has taken the responsibility for this act.

Now extra security has been increased in that area, included additional security personnel have been deployed in the area of Kokernag-Anantnag road to stop any further attack.

Attack During Amarnath Yatra Raises Security Concerns

The incident becomes bigger as the attack took place at the time when annual Amarnath Yatra is going on. The Yatra that started on 3 July will continue till 28 August. Thousands of pilgrims are travelling everyday through Pahalgam and Baltal routes, which is 48 KM and 14 KM away from the attack site.

Now the authorities have already set the multi-layered security measures, that includes drones, CCTV surveillance, and Facial Recognition System. The Police has made sure that Amarnath Yatra to remain secure despite the latest incident.

Series of Counter-Terror Operations in 2026

The incident has taken place after multiple anti-terror operations going on in Jammu and Kashmir this year. Military forces have killed a Pakistani infiltrator during the encounter in Kishtwar and Kathua in January. Three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kishtwar, another terrorist in Ganderbal were killed in April. Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakir Ahmad Gani was also killed in Shopian after five-day operations.

This recent attack tells that Kashmir is still fighting against terrorism and security forces have multiple challenges there.