Search operation intensified amid fresh encounter in Kishtwar

Fresh gunfight broke out in Kishtwar district today, merely four days after a soldier was killed fighting Pakistan trained terrorists. The encounter started in the Singhpura area near Chhatru where the earlier incident had taken place on Sunday. The terrorists fled deep inside the forest after several hours of gunfight on Sunday taking advantage of thick vegetation and challenging terrain. However, the forces continued their hunt and finally tracked them hiding in a wooden structure at Mali Dana top this morning, the officials said.

They said a heavy exchange of fire between the two sides continued for hours. The Army also destroyed the temporary shelter used by terrorists as a hideout.

Officials informed that fresh contact was established with the holed up terrorists in the dense forests of Singhpura. They added heavy firing between the two sides continued as the security forces made efforts to neutralise the militants. No casualty has been reported so far.

It is believed that two to three terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) are trapped in the area.

On Sunday, Special Forces Havildar Gajendra Singh succumbed to injuries after terrorists lobbed grenades when a team of security forces closed in on their hideout in the district.

A well-equipped kitchen and hideout used by terrorists in the dense forests of Chhatru was unearthed by the Army on Monday. The Army had found the kitchen-cum-hideout well stocked with bags of rice, wheat flour, spices and noodles. Multiple individuals were detained as these food items were of local brands. Many Over Ground Workers (OGWs) are operating in the mountainous parts of the Jammu region to help the terrorists hiding in the forest areas.

Officials said that the group of ultras was now without any food or water supplies. They said that the cordon had been strengthened so that the terrorists were not able to visit any nearby village for supplies.

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Courtesy: The Tribune -23-Jan-2026