JAMMU: At least three soldiers were injured on Sunday during a gunfight with suspected militants holed up in a remote forest area of Kishtwar district, officials said. The encounter broke out during a cordon and search operation launched by security forces in the Sonnar area, northeast of Chatroo.
The operation, launched around noon, has been named ‘Operation Trashi-I’ by the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps.
Army Confirms Contact With Terrorists
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said that troops came in contact with terrorists during a deliberate search operation, which was part of ongoing joint counter-terrorism exercises with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
“Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and other security agencies,” the Army said.
The Corps commended the troops for their professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire in difficult terrain and weather conditions.
Terrorists Fire Grenades to Break Cordon
According to officials, one of the search teams encountered two to three foreign terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.
The terrorists allegedly opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades in an attempt to escape the cordon. Security forces retaliated, leading to intermittent firing between the two sides.
Three Soldiers Injured, Evacuated
During the exchange of fire, three soldiers sustained splinter injuries. They were promptly evacuated to a hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
Reinforcements from the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police were rushed to the area to further tighten the cordon.
Massive Search Operation Underway
Security forces have launched a large-scale search operation to track and neutralise the terrorists. Drones, advanced surveillance equipment, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to assist in the operation.
Officials said the operation will continue until the terrorists are eliminated or apprehended.
Third Encounter in Jammu Region This Year
This is the third encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year.
Earlier encounters took place in the Kahog and Najote forests of the Billawar area in Kathua district on January 7 and January 13, respectively.
On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district, though the terrorists managed to escape.
Operations Intensified Ahead of Republic Day
The recent encounters follow a major counter-terror operation launched in December to flush out nearly three dozen terrorists believed to be hiding in forest belts of the Jammu region.
Security has been further intensified ahead of Republic Day celebrations, amid intelligence inputs indicating renewed infiltration attempts by Pakistan-based handlers, officials said.
