JAMMU, Feb 22: In a counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials confirmed. The operation marks another major breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks in the Jammu region.
According to officials, the gunfight took place in the general area of Passerkut in the Chatroo belt under a coordinated mission codenamed Operation Trashi-I. Acting on credible intelligence inputs gathered jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Intelligence Bureau, and Army units, security forces launched a targeted search operation to track down militants believed to be operating in the region.
During the operation, terrorists hiding inside a mud house on the foothills opened fire on the approaching search parties, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. In the course of the encounter, the structure caught fire and was completely gutted. The bodies of all three militants were later recovered from the charred remains of the hideout. Officials stated that the bodies were burnt beyond recognition and identification efforts are currently underway.
Preliminary assessments by security agencies indicate that one of the deceased may be Saifullah, a senior JeM commander who had reportedly infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir around five years ago. He was allegedly involved in orchestrating multiple attacks on security forces, including a deadly assault in July 2024 in which four soldiers lost their lives. Saifullah had managed to evade capture in previous encounters, making his suspected elimination a notable development in the anti-terror campaign.
Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the site. The third militant’s body and a weapon were retrieved later in the evening after a thorough search of the debris.
The White Knight Corps, which spearheaded the operation along with the Counter-Intelligence Force Delta, police, and CRPF, described the action as swift and precise. Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma commended the troops for their persistence despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. In a statement shared on social media, the Army reiterated its firm resolve to ensure a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that those attempting to disrupt peace will find no safe haven.
The Chatroo forest belt has witnessed several encounters since mid-January, reflecting heightened counter-terror vigilance in the region. Since January 18, nearly half a dozen gunfights have taken place in the area. Earlier operations resulted in the elimination of a Pakistani terrorist on February 4, while a soldier was martyred on January 18.
With Sunday’s operation, security forces have neutralised seven JeM militants in separate encounters across the Jammu region this year. Two terrorists were killed in the Ramanagar forest area of Udhampur earlier this month, while another was eliminated in Kathua district in January.
Meanwhile, in a separate development in Samba district, a truck driver was detained for questioning after Pakistani contact numbers were found on his mobile phone during routine checking at a checkpoint. Officials said the truck was headed toward Kashmir when it was stopped, and investigations are ongoing.
The latest encounter underscores the sustained efforts of security forces to curb militant activity and maintain stability in Jammu and Kashmir, as counter-terror operations continue across vulnerable areas of the Union Territory.