Security Forces Engage Militants in Kashmir’s Dara Under Operation Mahadev

Indian Army personnel have engaged militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Lidwas area near Dara under Operation Mahadev. Contact was confirmed earlier today, prompting reinforcement deployment. The operation continues in the forested terrain, with authorities urging civilians to avoid the area. No official casualty reports have been released yet.

An encounter broke out on Monday between security forces and suspected militants in the Lidwas region near Dara, Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed that troops had established contact with the militants as part of an ongoing counterterrorism mission named Operation Mahadev.

The engagement follows intelligence inputs indicating terrorist movement in the Lidwas area, a rugged and forested zone popular among trekkers. Responding swiftly, the Army launched a coordinated search and cordon operation to flush out the infiltrators.

Authorities confirmed that contact with the suspects was made earlier in the day, prompting a tactical escalation. Reinforcements were immediately dispatched to secure the perimeter and prevent any possible escape. The exact number of militants involved has not yet been confirmed, and no casualties have been officially reported as of now.

The Indian Army has not disclosed additional operational details, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing engagement. However, security officials noted that such encounters in upper forest regions often extend into prolonged stand-offs due to limited visibility, difficult terrain, and the risk of ambush.

Lidwas, being a trekking destination, also raises concerns over potential threats to civilian movement in the area. Officials have advised people to avoid the region until further notice.

This operation comes amid heightened security measures across Jammu and Kashmir following recent terror incidents, including the Pahalgam attack, prompting an intensified focus on vulnerable infiltration routes and militant hideouts in remote locations.

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The Army continues to monitor the situation closely, with efforts concentrated on neutralising the threat while minimising collateral risk.