On April 23, 2025, just one day after seven civilians were gunned down in Pahalgam, Indian troops caught two terrorists red-handed trying to slip across the Line of Control in the dense forests of Uri Nala, nestled in Baramulla district. The operation, code-named Operation Tikka, unfolded around 5:00 p.m. local time when soldiers from the Chinar Corps’s 19th Infantry Division spotted movement near the LoC. What followed was a 45-minute firefight — no retreat, no surrender. Two terrorists were killed on the spot. The rest? Still out there. And the Army’s hunting them.
Weapons, Wires, and War Gear Recovered
The loot from the dead militants was chillingly thorough: two AK-47s, a Chinese-made Type 56 assault rifle, six full magazines of 7.62mm ammunition, two hand grenades, night-vision goggles, and encrypted communication gear. Not the kind of kit you pick up at a bazaar. This was state-sponsored terror — calibrated, coordinated, and clearly meant for maximum carnage. The gear matches what was recovered in previous LoC encounters, including the August 2025 incident in Churdunda where Sepoy Rajesh Kumar lost his life stopping a similar infiltration.
"This isn’t random," said Brigadier Anil Kumar, spokesperson for the Indian Army’s Northern Command, during a press briefing in Srinagar on April 24. "These men didn’t walk in carrying snacks. They came with intent — to kill soldiers, to terrorize civilians, to destabilize the Valley. We stopped them. But we’re not done."
Operation Tikka and the Shadow of Operation Sindoor
Operation Tikka didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the latest chapter in a campaign that began in May 2025 with Operation Sindoor — precision strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. That operation triggered retaliatory shelling from across the LoC, killing 13 civilians and wounding 59 in Poonch. Now, with spring thaw and melting snow opening the mountain trails, the infiltration season is in full swing. April and May are peak months, as Major General Rajesh Kumar of Army Headquarters explained: "The terrain becomes passable. The terrorists know it. So do we."
And they’re not just targeting soldiers. The Pahalgam attack on April 22 — where tourists were shot in cold blood — shifted the entire calculus. The Ministry of Home Affairs immediately ordered the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police to beef up security at every temple, trekking route, and tourist lodge. The Northern Command, headquartered in Udhampur, raised its alert status to maximum. All 740 kilometers of the LoC are now under 24/7 surveillance.
Uri: A Flashpoint with a Bloody History
Uri has bled before. On September 18, 2016, 23 soldiers were killed in a suicide attack on their brigade headquarters — a massacre that led to India’s surgical strikes across the LoC. Since then, Uri Nala has remained a favored corridor for infiltrators. In May 2025, after Operation Sindoor, there were two failed attempts. Then came August. Now, April 2025. Each time, the same pattern: movement detected, challenge issued, fire exchanged, terrorists eliminated — or not.
The Chinar Corps, officially XV Corps and based in Srinagar, has been the backbone of counter-insurgency in the Valley since 1965. Their soldiers don’t wear body armor just for show. They wear it because they know what’s coming. And they’re ready.
What’s Next? The Hunt Continues
As of April 24, combing operations are still underway in Sarjeevan’s thick oak and pine forests. Helicopters hover overhead. Drones scan the undergrowth. Quick Reaction Teams from the Border Security Force are now stationed along the International Border in Jammu, fearing a coordinated push from multiple directions. "They’re testing us," said a senior officer who spoke anonymously. "One attack in Pahalgam. One infiltration in Uri. Are they trying to stretch our resources? Maybe. But we’re not biting. We’re counting every step they take."
The terrain is brutal. The weather is unpredictable. And the enemy? They don’t wear uniforms. They blend in. But the Army’s trained to see what others miss — a snapped twig, a misplaced footprint, the faint glow of a battery in the dark. They’re not just defending a border. They’re protecting a way of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Uri Nala such a hotspot for infiltration?
Uri Nala’s dense forests, steep ravines, and proximity to the LoC make it ideal for covert movement. The terrain offers natural cover, and the area has historically been less patrolled than other sectors. Since the 2016 Uri attack, it’s become a symbolic target for militants seeking to replicate past successes. The Chinar Corps has since increased drone surveillance and night patrols, but the geography remains a challenge.
How does Operation Tikka differ from previous operations like Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a proactive, cross-border strike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Operation Tikka is reactive — a ground-level, immediate response to an active infiltration attempt. While Sindoor aimed to degrade capabilities, Tikka was about stopping bullets before they reached civilians. Both are part of a layered defense strategy: destroy the base, then intercept the runners.
What impact does the Pahalgam attack have on military strategy?
Pahalgam shifted the focus from purely military targets to civilian safety. The Army now coordinates more closely with CRPF and state police to secure tourist zones, not just borders. It also signals that militants are targeting soft targets to provoke panic. In response, the Northern Command has increased intelligence sharing with local communities and is using civilian reports as a key source of early warnings.
Are more infiltrators still at large after Operation Tikka?
Yes. The initial report mentioned 2-3 terrorists attempting infiltration. Two were killed, but one remains unaccounted for. Combing operations are ongoing in Sarjeevan’s forested zones, and aerial surveillance continues. The Army believes the third militant may have retreated or hidden with equipment. Recovery of communication devices suggests he may still be in contact with external handlers.
Why are April and May the most dangerous months for infiltration?
Spring thaw melts snow in mountain passes, opening previously blocked routes into the Kashmir Valley. By late April, the terrain becomes navigable for foot patrols. Terrorists exploit this window before the monsoon and winter close the passes again. Historical data shows 70% of infiltration attempts occur between April and June — making these months the most critical for border security forces.
How is the Border Security Force responding to these developments?
The Border Security Force has deployed additional Quick Reaction Teams along the International Border in Jammu, particularly near the Akhnoor and Kathua sectors. They’re using thermal imaging and AI-assisted motion sensors to detect movement. The goal: prevent any coordinated attacks that might coincide with LoC incursions. The BSF is now working in real-time with the Army’s intelligence units, sharing satellite imagery and drone feeds.
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