J&K Sees First Terror Attack Since Pahalgam: Why Anantnag Is Key Amid Amarnath Yatra

Last Updated:July 22, 2026, 8:26 PM IST

Terror attacks to Amarnath Yatra, why Anantnag is a crucial point in Jammu and Kashmir, News18 explains

Following the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the assailants. (PTI)

Suspected terrorists on Wednesday opened fire on a security deployment team in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of a Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) head constable. The attack took place around 12:30 PM in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag town.

Why Anantnag matters amid Amarnath Yatra, News18 explains.

THE ATTACK IN ANANTNAG

The slain policeman was identified as Head Constable Ashiq Hussain, a resident of the Beerwah area in Budgam district. The policeman was on duty when vehicle-borne terrorists opened fire on the patrolling party.

Following the shooting, security forces swiftly cordoned off the entire area and launched a massive search and cordon operation to track down the fleeing assailants. The injured head constable was immediately rushed to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Anantnag in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries.

MAJOR ATTACKS IN ANANTNAG

• Pahalgam Tourist Attack (April 2025): Terrorists targeted a group of tourists in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag, resulting in the tragic deaths of 26 civilians.
• Anantnag Encounter (September 2023): A multi-day fierce gunbattle in the Kokernag forests of Anantnag led to the martyrdom of two senior Indian Army officers (a Colonel and a Major) and a Jammu and Kashmir Police DSP.
• KP Road CRPF Convoy Strike (June 2019): Motorcycle-borne militants fired automatic weapons and lobbed grenades at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrol on the busy Khanbal-Pahalgam (KP) Road. The ambush killed five CRPF personnel and critically injured Anantnag SHO Arshad Khan, who later succumbed to his injuries.
• Amarnath Yatra Bus Massacre (July 2017): Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists intercepted a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag, killing eight pilgrims and injuring over 18 others.
• Achabal Police Ambush (June 2017): Militants ambushed a police vehicle in the Achabal area, brutally killing six Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, including Station House Officer (SHO) Feroz Ahmad Dar.
• Bus Stand Firing (September 2017): Terrorists attacked a patrolling police party near the Anantnag General Bus Stand, killing one police constable and injuring another.

CURRENT STATUS OF AMARNATH YATRA

The Amarnath Yatra is currently temporarily suspended due to severe weather and relentless rainfall. The Jammu and Kashmir administration put a halt to the pilgrimage from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The suspension is a precautionary measure to safeguard devotees following warnings of landslides and flash floods. The annual 57-day pilgrimage officially scheduled to run from July 3 until August 28, 2026, will resume as soon as authorities declare the tracks structurally safe.

WHY ANANTNAG IS KEY TO AMARNATH YATRA

Anantnag is the key to the Amarnath Yatra because it geographically encompasses the entire traditional pilgrimage route and houses the primary base camp at Nunwan (Pahalgam). Located in South Kashmir, the district serves as the main logistical, administrative, and security gateway to the holy cave shrine.

The strategic and spiritual centrality of Anantnag to the pilgrimage relies on four main pillars:

Traditional Route Base Camp: Anantnag is the starting point for the traditional 48-km Pahalgam-Chandanwari route. The journey formally begins at the Nunwan Base Camp, located just outside Pahalgam, where pilgrims register and acclimate before the trek.

Mythological Significance: The district’s varied geography features heavily in the legend of Lord Shiva’s journey to the cave. According to tradition, Shiva left his earthly belongings along the Anantnag trail: Nandi the bull at Pahalgam, the Moon at Chandanwari, the snake at Lake Sheshnag, and Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat.

Stringent Security Grids: Given the district’s vast and challenging terrain, Anantnag serves as a critical focus for security forces. Authorities enforce comprehensive multi-layered security measures—including drone surveillance and high-tech monitoring—along the national highway and interior access roads to ensure safe passage for lakhs of devotees.

Local Syncretic Support: The smooth execution of the yatra relies heavily on the local community in Anantnag. Local residents, including pony handlers, porters, and transport drivers, provide essential logistical support and food. The district administration frequently runs verification and registration programs (such as the ‘Pehchan’ app) to ensure services are safe and regulated.

With agency inputs

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Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci…Read More

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