A fresh exchange of fire broke out between security forces and holed-up terrorists in the Kishtwar district on Thursday, as a major search operation entered its fifth day, officials confirmed. Contact was re-established with the terrorists in the Singhpura area of the Chatroo subdivision during the relentless combing operation.
According to sources, the encounter began after forces regained contact with the hidden terrorists, leading to an immediate exchange of gunfire. The operation is currently ongoing, with forces employing tactical caution in the difficult terrain.
The operation, dubbed 'Operation Trashi-I' by the Army, was launched on Sunday in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt. It began with a heavy cost. The initial gunfight on Sunday resulted in the tragic death of one paratrooper and left seven other soldiers injured. Officials stated that the injuries were mostly due to splinter wounds sustained from a sudden grenade attack launched by the hiding terrorists.
In a significant development on Monday, security forces busted a major terrorist hideout near the original encounter site. Several individuals were taken in for questioning as part of the investigation. Until Thursday, there had been no fresh contact with the terrorist group, which security agencies believe consists of two to three terrorists. The group is allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and is assessed to be trapped in the area.
To tighten the cordon and expedite the search, additional troops have been mobilised and deployed in Sonnar, Mandral-Singhpora, and adjoining areas of the Chatroo belt.
This encounter marks the third such engagement between security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year alone. Previous firefights occurred in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and January 13. The heightened frequency of operations underscores the intensified security posture in the region.
Officials note that security forces have remained on maximum alert across Jammu in view of the approaching Republic Day. This alert is compounded by intelligence inputs suggesting that Pakistan is attempting to push terrorists into the region across both the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC).
In a parallel effort, search and combing operations are also being conducted at dozens of locations across the Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda districts of Jammu, reflecting a comprehensive effort to pre-empt and neutralize terrorist threats.
The ongoing standoff in Kishtwar highlights the persistent security challenges in the region and the continued efforts of security forces to maintain stability, particularly during sensitive periods.
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