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 Kashmirโ€™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 Armyโ€™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 โ€” 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

Sundayโ€™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