Kishtwar Anti-terror operation enters final phase as forces close in on JeM Militants

Security forces on Sunday resumed their cordon-and-search operation in the snowbound areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district to track down three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists who have been on the run following multiple encounters over the past two weeks.

The operation began on January 18 after terrorists were first spotted in the Sonnar forest near Mandral-Singhpora , triggering a fierce gunbattle in which a paratrooper was killed and seven soldiers were injured. Despite heavy snowfall and difficult terrain, the terrorists managed to escape and continued shifting hideouts across forested and high-altitude zones.

Subsequent encounters were reported at Mali Dana on January 22 and Janseer-Kandiwar on January 25, but the militants again slipped deeper into the Chatroo-Dolgam-Dichhar belt. Fresh contact was established early Saturday in the Dolgam area after drone surveillance detected their movement, leading to another brief exchange of fire. One terrorist is believed to have been injured.

Backed by drones, helicopters and sniffer dogs, joint teams of the Army’s Special Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operations Group and CRPF have tightened the security grid. Village Defence Guards have been placed on alert and mobile internet services have been suspended in surrounding villages to prevent information leaks.

Senior officers said the terrorists are continuously changing locations and efforts are focused on cutting off their supply lines and neutralising them. Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited Kishtwar to review the operation and praised troops for their sustained pursuit in harsh winter conditions.

The operation remains ongoing as security forces continue to close in on the militants in the snowbound high-altitude region.