In a major anti-terror operation, Indian security forces neutralize top LeT commander Altaf Lalli in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district, triggering panic across the border.
Srinagar/New Delhi, April 25, 2025 — In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, Indian security forces eliminated Altaf Ahmad Dar alias Altaf Lalli, a top commander of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), during an encounter in the Bandipora district of north Kashmir. The operation marks a critical blow to the LeT network operating in the Kashmir Valley.
Altaf Lalli, considered one of the most-wanted militants in the region, had been involved in several attacks targeting security personnel and civilians. According to intelligence sources, he played a key role in recruiting local youth into terrorist ranks and maintaining cross-border coordination with handlers in Pakistan.
Officials confirmed that Lalli was trapped during a joint cordon and search operation launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. A brief exchange of fire resulted in his death, with no reported casualties among the security forces.
Double Blow to Pakistan: Stock Market Nosedives Following Modi’s Warning
While India struck a major blow to terror networks on ground, Pakistan faced an economic jolt as the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) witnessed a dramatic crash. The benchmark KSE-100 index plunged over 2,500 points within hours on Friday, wiping out billions in market capitalization. The stock exchange website also reportedly went offline temporarily due to high traffic and technical issues.
Market analysts link the sudden crash to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong warning to Pakistan during a public address on Thursday. The PM had emphasized that India will respond decisively to any provocation, a statement interpreted as a clear signal against cross-border terror support.
India-France to Sign Rafale-M Deal on Monday
Amid heightened tensions in the region, India is also ramping up its defense preparedness. Sources in the Ministry of Defence confirmed that India and France will sign a landmark deal for 26 Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets on Monday.
The deal, valued at over $6 billion, will equip the Indian Navy with advanced carrier-based fighter aircraft, boosting the operational strength of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.
The agreement comes as part of the broader Indo-French strategic partnership, which has witnessed significant defense and technological cooperation in recent years.
