The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have achieved a significant breakthrough in counterinsurgency operations with the elimination of one of the most wanted infiltrators across the Line of Control (LoC).

In a high-alert operation last week, Indian Army troops, in a joint action with Jammu and Kashmir Police, neutralised two terrorists in the Gurez sector of Bandipora district.

Among the slain was Bagu Khan, infamously known as the “human GPS” due to his unparalleled knowledge of infiltration routes across treacherous mountainous terrain. Identified through official documents recovered at the site of the encounter, including an identity card confirming his Pakistani origin, Khan had been on the radar of Indian security agencies for nearly three decades.

Also known by the alias “Samundar Chacha”, he was a long-time operative associated with the terror group Hizbul Mujahideen and had been instrumental in facilitating the entry of terrorists into Indian territory since 1995.

According to intelligence sources, Khan was involved in more than 100 successful infiltration bids over the years, making him one of the most dangerous and experienced guides for Pakistan-based terror outfits attempting to push militants across the LoC. His deep familiarity with the rugged and hostile stretches of the Gurez sector, often covered in snow and prone to avalanches, earned him notoriety in militant circles as a dependable operative.

Despite decades of monitoring, Khan managed to evade capture or elimination, frequently changing routes and disguises to remain elusive. Security officials said that his ability to ferry groups undetected made him a prized asset for terror networks and a long-standing adversary for Indian forces.

The operation leading to Khan’s death was executed on August 23, 2025, after actionable intelligence was received by authorities about an impending infiltration attempt in the Gurez sector. As part of the proactive counter-infiltration grid, alert Army troops detected suspicious movement near the LoC. Upon being challenged, the infiltrators opened indiscriminate fire on the patrolling units.

In the brief but intense gunfight that followed, Khan and another terrorist—also confirmed to be a Pakistani national, though not yet identified—were neutralised. The Army’s Chinar Corps, in an official statement, underlined that this operation was the outcome of precise intelligence shared by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and highlighted the effectiveness of the coordination between ground forces in pre-empting infiltration attempts.

Khan’s elimination is being described as a major setback for infiltrator networks operating across the LoC, as his death severely cripples the tactical advantage militants enjoyed through his guidance. His long survival and operational role underline the sustained efforts of Pakistan-based groups to penetrate India’s border defences and fuel unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.

Security analysts believe that removing such a key operative will enhance the counter-infiltration posture in vulnerable sectors and serve as a warning to terrorist leaders attempting to use well-established guides for cross-border movement.

The Army has further announced that combing operations and surveillance along sensitive stretches are being intensified to pre-empt similar attempts in the coming months, especially ahead of winter when routes become more difficult to traverse.

The neutralisation of “Samundar Chacha” Bagu Khan not only removes a prominent facilitator of cross-border terrorism but also symbolises a resolute message from Indian security forces that long-standing operatives, no matter how elusive, will eventually be tracked down and eliminated.

Officials have emphasised that his death will likely disrupt infiltration modules in northern Kashmir, though agencies remain vigilant to the prospect of replacements being put in place by militant handlers across the border.

Based On A NDTV Report