Kishtwar encounter update: 3rd terrorist body recovered; death toll rises in Operation Trashi-I

Jammu: Security forces on Sunday recovered the charred remains of a third terrorist following a fierce daylong encounter in the rugged forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, bringing the total number of terrorists killed in the operation to three.

The clash, part of the multi-agency "Operation Trashi-I," broke out in the snow-dusted Chatroo forest belt. According to the Army’s White Knight Corps, the joint strike involved the Counter-Intelligence Force (CIF) Delta, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Officials initially confirmed the elimination of two terrorists earlier in the day but discovered a third body during a late-afternoon sweep of the site. Troops recovered a significant cache of weaponry, including AK-47 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition. Preliminary intelligence suggests the slain terrorists were Pakistani nationals affiliated with the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit.

"Pursuant to credible intelligence inputs collated from J-K Police, IB (Intelligence Bureau) and own intelligence sources, a deliberate joint operation was launched... to track and neutralise terrorists operating in the area," the White Knight Corps stated on X. "The hunt continues — those who seek to disturb peace will find no sanctuary."

Battle in the Chatroo Forests

The engagement began around 11 a.m. when search parties converged on a mudhouse used as a hideout at the base of a steep hill. The holed-up terrorists opened fire as troops approached, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire in the challenging, high-altitude terrain.

The Chatroo belt has become a major flashpoint for anti-terror operations in recent weeks. The area witnessed approximately six gunfights last month alone, including an encounter that claimed the life of a soldier and another that resulted in the death of a terrorist.

Broadening the Offensive

Sunday’s operation marks a major success in the ongoing winter offensive to dismantle JeM networks across the Jammu region. With these latest fatalities, security forces have killed seven JeM-linked terrorists in the province this year, following successful operations in Udhampur and Kathua.

According to reports, one of the slain terrorists is a Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist, Saifullah, though a formal identification process is still underway. Large-scale combing operations continued into the night to ensure no other members of the group remained in the vicinity.

With inputs from PTI