search-op-narrowed-down-in-kishtwar-encounter-underway

After security forces re-engaged terrorists in the gunfight, the search operation, which has been underway to neutralise three holed-up Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar, has been narrowed down to a specific area. Unconfirmed reports said three jawans of security forces have been injured in the encounter which began on Saturday morning.

 

The gunfight began when army troops re-established contact with the terrorists in Kishtwar district early Saturday, according to officials. The injured soldires are said to have been shifted to nearby hospital for immediate treatment.

 

Kishtwar has seen six encounters in the past seven months as forces continue their crackdown on Pakistan-based terrorists operating in the region, which shares borders with Doda and Udhampur districts.Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited Kishtwar district to review the counter-terrorism grid and commended the troops for their unwavering resolve in the ongoing efforts.

“During the ongoing joint Operation Trashi-I, contact with terrorists was re-established in the early hours of January 31 in the general area of Dolgam by troops of the White Knight Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF,” the White Knight Corps said on X. The army noted that intelligence inputs from various sources were coordinated to plan and execute the operation on the ground.

 

 

“A cordon has been established, and operations are in progress,” it said. According to reports, the joint operation team sighted three JeM terrorists in the snowbound high-altitude area of Dolgam, resulting in an exchange of fire.

One terrorist is believed to have been injured, the reports indicate, adding that drone surveillance purportedly shows bloodstains from the injured terrorists. This marks the fourth time in the past two weeks that contact has been established with terrorists in the area.

 

 

The ongoing anti-terror operation in the snowbound Chatroo-Dolgam-Dichhar belt to track down and neutralise a group of three holed-up Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists has been underway for the past few days.

To prevent misuse by anti-national elements during the operation, mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended since Friday within a six-kilometre radius covering Singhpora, Chingam, and Chatroo.

 

 

The operation in the area was launched on January 18, leading to a fierce gunbattle in the Sonnar forest near Mandral-Singhpora, resulting in the killing of a paratrooper and injuries to seven soldiers.

Although the terrorists managed to escape, benefiting from thick vegetation and challenging terrain, security forces continued their pursuit despite more than two feet of snowfall.

 

 

The visit of the army commander to the mountainous district comes after a high-level security review of the evolving security dynamics in the Jammu region, with a focus on strengthening the counter-terrorism grid on Thursday, officials said.

“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, visited Kishtwar today to review the counter-terrorism grid and operational preparedness,” Northern Command Headquarters said on X. The army commander, while interacting with ground commanders and troops, commended them for their unwavering resolve in the ongoing efforts.