Seven soldiers from the Indian Army sustained injuries during a fierce confrontation with terrorists in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. This clash occurred as part of a comprehensive counter-terror operation, dubbed Operation Trashi-I, aimed at neutralizing terrorist threats in the region.
The gunbattle unfolded in the Sonnar area, situated northeast of Chatroo. According to official sources, both Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police teams were engaged in a deliberate search operation when they established contact with a group of terrorists around noon. The terrorists responded aggressively, opening fire and throwing grenades in an effort to breach the security cordon set up by the forces.
In response to the attack, the injured soldiers were quickly evacuated to a nearby hospital, and troops were able to stabilize the situation with effective counterfire. A statement released by the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps confirmed the engagement, stating that operations were ongoing and additional forces were deployed to reinforce the cordon. The Army commended its troops for their “exceptional professionalism and resolve” in the face of hostile fire under challenging terrain and weather conditions.
Security officials have indicated that two to three foreign terrorists, suspected to belong to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group, are likely trapped in the forested area. To prevent their escape, reinforcements comprising the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police have been mobilized to tighten the security perimeter.
Advanced surveillance technology, including drones and sniffer dogs, has been utilized to assist in the search operations and track the movements of the terrorists within the dense forest environment.
Operation Trashi-I marks the third encounter with terrorists in the Jammu region within this calendar year. Previous incidents occurred in the Kahog and Najote forests of the Billawar area in January. In a separate incident last December, a police officer lost his life during an encounter in Udhampur, where the terrorists successfully escaped under the cover of darkness.
In light of recent intelligence reports indicating attempts by handlers in Pakistan to infiltrate more terrorists into the region, security operations have been significantly intensified across Jammu, especially in anticipation of Republic Day celebrations.
Authorities have urged civilians in the surrounding areas to remain calm and cooperate with security forces as they work to neutralize the ongoing threat and ensure the safety of the public.
