Security forces clash with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian, says report

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials told news agency PTI.

According to the report, a cordon and search operation was launched in Shopian on Tuesday based on an input about the presence of terrorists in the Shukroo Keller area.

Officials said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired upon the forces, who retaliated. The exchange of fire is going on, and so far, there have not been any reports of casualties on either side, the report added. 

India's policy against terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the nation, the first after Operation Sindoor was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, and said that the operation had carved a new benchmark in India's fight against terrorism.

PM Modi also referred to India conducting a surgical strike in 2016 at terror launch pads along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and to the air strikes at a terror camp in Pakistan in 2019 and said that after the two operations, Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism.

The PM also said India will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism.

Over 100 terrorists kiled

He said more than 100 dreaded terrorists have been killed in India's precision strikes. "Many terrorist leaders were roaming freely in Pakistan for the last two and a half to three decades who used to conspire against India. India killed them in one stroke," he said.

Earlier on Monday, PM Modi said the forces had been given full freedom to wipe out terrorists.

In his address to the Nation, PM Modi said, "Every terror organisation now knows 'ki hamari behano, betiyon ke maathe se Sindoor hatane ka anjaam kya hota hai".

"We all have seen the capability and patience of the country in the last few days. I salute the armed forces, the military, the intelligence agency and the scientists. Today, I dedicate this valour, bravery, courage (of armed forces) to every mother of our country, to every sister of the country and to every daughter of the country," he added.

Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, PM Modi said, "The barbarism that terrorists have shown has shaken the country and the world".

In addition to eliminating over 100 terrorists, the strikes targeted 11 Air bases inside Pakistan and inflicted significant damage on their military capabilities. The air, land and sea operations were carried out with calibrated restraint, with an emphasis on minimising civilian casualties.

(With inputs from agencies)