J&K suspends mobile internet in Kishtwar areas to prevent Terror coordination

Security forces on Friday continued their intensified anti-terror operations in the snowbound Chatroo belt of Jammu and Kashmir ’s Kishtwar district to track down three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists believed to be hiding in dense forest areas, officials said.

The counter-terror operation, which began on January 18 following specific intelligence inputs, is currently underway across Chatroo, Singhpora, Chingam and adjoining forested regions. Troops are conducting extensive search and cordon operations despite harsh weather conditions and over two feet of snowfall, which has slowed movement and visibility.

Officials said the present phase of the operation involves combing high-altitude forest stretches and mountain hideouts after the terrorists managed to evade security forces in earlier encounters by using thick vegetation and difficult terrain to their advantage.

A fierce gunbattle had erupted on January 18 in the Sonnar forest near Mandral-Singhpora, resulting in the death of a paratrooper and injuries to seven other soldiers . Although the terrorists escaped, security forces maintained pressure and continued tracking their movement.

Two more encounters were reported at Mali Dana top on January 22 and Janseer-Kandiwar on January 25. However, the terrorists again managed to slip deeper into forest areas. Since then, security forces have further expanded the search operation to prevent their movement towards populated zones.

To ensure operational security and prevent misuse of communication networks, mobile internet services have been suspended within a six-kilometre radius covering Singhpora, Chingam and Chatroo. The suspension, which began on January 23, has been extended till 11:59 pm on January 30 .

Meanwhile, a separate search operation is also continuing in Pajja Morh, Nabana Top and adjoining areas of Surankote in Poonch district after inputs were received about the presence of two suspected persons. No contact has been established so far, and the operation is still in progress.