Massive Blow to Terror Network: Army on Killing of Three Militants in Kishtwar

Security forces have dealt a significant blow to militant networks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district after eliminating three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in a high-altitude encounter that capped a year-long counter-terror operation . Officials described the success as the culmination of sustained efforts to dismantle a Pakistan-backed module attempting to revive militant activity in the upper reaches of the Jammu region.

The operation, carried out in the rugged Chatroo belt , lasted 326 days and involved close coordination between the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps , Jammu & Kashmir Police , the CRPF , and intelligence agencies. Acting on a well-established intelligence grid and local inputs, security forces tracked the militants across dense forests, steep mountain slopes, and snow-bound terrain under extreme weather conditions.

Among those killed was Saifullah , a self-styled JeM commander believed to have infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir nearly five years ago. Investigators link him to several attacks on security personnel, including a July 2024 ambush that left four soldiers dead. Officials say his elimination weakens the militant leadership structure and disrupts operational planning in the Jammu region .

The Kishtwar mission unfolded through multiple encounters over the past year. Security forces eliminated several members of the module in separate operations, including three militants in April last year and another on February 4 in snow-covered terrain. Sunday’s encounter neutralised the remaining members, bringing the total number of terrorists killed in the Chatroo belt to seven.

Troops operated in freezing temperatures , heavy snowfall , and treacherous mountain terrain conditions militants often exploit to evade pursuit. To counter these challenges, forces relied extensively on advanced surveillance and combat technologies such as FPV drones , satellite imagery , UAVs , and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems , enabling real-time tracking and improved situational awareness in remote areas.

Security experts note that the upper reaches of Kishtwar have emerged as a vulnerable zone due to difficult terrain and potential infiltration routes. Sustained operations are critical to preventing militant regrouping outside the Kashmir Valley and maintaining stability in the broader region.

Officials emphasised that the operation underscores growing synergy among security forces , intelligence agencies, and technology-driven methods in modern counter-insurgency efforts. While the dismantling of the JeM module marks a major tactical success, authorities stress that continued vigilance and area domination will remain essential to ensure long-term security.